Antonio Colak hit the Champions League jackpot for the second year running and insisted it was so special to take Rangers through after knocking them out with Malmo last season.
The Croatian striker scored the £30m goal that dumped PSV in Eindhoven and sparked joyous scenes among the players and travelling support as Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men made it to Europe's elite competition for the first time since the dark days of administration more than a decade ago.
Colak, who had scored in the 2-2 first leg draw, struck on the hour mark to finish the job and admitted: “It’s difficult to describe. It was amazing team-work, how we attacked, how we defended until the end of this 90 minutes and we deserved it.
“It’s an amazing journey we will have this year and I am so proud of all of us guys. On the pitch last year for Malmo I was in tears because it was a moment of joy and I am so happy to be in this moment again with Rangers.
“It was a dream for me always as a kid to compete at this level and now I'm here with Rangers. It’s the best team in the world and I just want to compete with Rangers in this competition,
“In this stage you are playing tough opponents but we were focused from the goalkeeper to the striker and we left our hearts on the pitch. I am so proud of the guys.”
Those sentiments were echoed by delighted gaffer van Bronckhorst who marked his return to his homeland with the best night of his managerial career. He said: “It feels great. I couldn’t be prouder right now.
“We are all proud. This is a big moment for us. It feels great to achieve what we wanted - and that is to be in the Champions League.”
Van Bronckhorst might now splash some of the Champions League cash in the transfer market before the window closes but last night he was simply basking in the glory of his team’s display,.
He added: “It will impact us. As players and coaches, we are only thinking about competing with the best in Europe. But there are many positives. We take a lot away from this game.
“The board are happy we get a financial opportunity. We always have good talks on how to spend the money! Do I expect new faces before the window shuts? I don’t know. There are seven days left and anything can happen.”
He admitted that his team’s performance had him feeling calm on the touchline as the minute’s ticked down, saying: “I was more relaxed than during the first leg because of the way we played.
“We were very controlled and played the way we wanted. PSV couldn’t press us in the first half, we found space and the only thing that was missing was a goal. Then we scored at the right moment and we became stronger and stronger in the game.”
And he admitted that the victory was all the sweeter for the behaviour of the PSV fans, who used fireworks outside the team hotel on Tuesday night and then delayed the team bus’ arrival at the stadium by 15 minutes. Van Bronckhorst said: "We were already ready for the game but of course we used that too. When this happens, the victory tastes sweeter.”
When he arrives back in Scotland, Van Bronckhorst knows he will have to address the Alfredo Morelos situation - but he insisted again that the striker who was left out of the travelling squad, will have to prove he wants to be a Rangers player. He said: “Alfredo is part of the squad and it’s on him to work his way back in.
“He is still a Rangers player and he will be proud of this achievement, as he is part of it. We will see in the coming days how it will evolve.”
