Giovanni van Bronckhorst insists Rangers can go to Holland and get the win they need to reach the Champions League group stage after a battling 2-2 draw against PSV Eindhoven at Ibrox set up a shoot-out for a potential £40 million prize.
The playoff is on knife-edge after sharing four goals on a pulsating night at Ibrox with Antonio Colak cancelling out Ibrahim Sangare’s opener before a goalkeeping howler from Walter Benitez allowed Tom Lawrence’s free kick to end up in the back of the net but the Dutch side grabbed a leveller through Armando Obispo.
Van Bronckhorst admitted his side will have to tighten up defensively after conceding two goals from set-pieces - with the second in particular a poor goal to lose as Obispo won the header from a corner. But asked if they can get the win they need in the Philips Stadium, the Dutchman told BT Sport: “Of course we can get the victory.
“It’s a tie that is still alive, they play at home so hopefully we can get more space and try to go there and go through because that’s our goal - we have to give everything. It was very close. We said before the game that the differences aren’t that big and you saw that. PSV had the first goal which is always important but we fought back, scored a really good goal to make it 1-1 and in the last 10, 15 minutes you saw the game we wanted - high tempo with a lot of speed going forward.
“In the second half we made it 2-1 with a free kick from Tom. The goals count, the way you score them doesn’t matter but in the end we lost a goal from a set-piece which is disappointing but the tie is open and we have the chance to go through.
“It’s a high tempo game against a quality side. This is the level we want to compete and PSV are an excellent team and they showed it and we did as well. That’s why you got a 2-2.
“The first goal we were a bit unlucky. With the second we have to be stronger and make sure we have first contact on the set piece.”
Van Bronckhorst was full of praise for Colak who made it four goals in as many games since signing for PAOK Salonika and the Gers boss said he had no intention of introducing Rangers’ all-time top goal scorer Alfredo Morelos.
Asked if he was tempted to throw on Morelos, he answered bluntly: “No. Colak played fine, he was very good and dangerous and gave the energy the team needed.
“Antonio’s work rate when we don’t have the ball is really good. He scored a great goal and I’m happy for his performance, especially in the Champions League where it’s not only with the ball but also when you don’t have it - you have to bring energy as well."
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