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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
David McCarthy

Gio van Bronckhorst scoffs at Rangers 'burden' claim as boss refuses to entertain Europa League theory

Gio van Bronckhorst has spoken of his pride at leading Rangers to the last eight of the Europa League - then insisted his men will bust a gut to go at least one better by getting past Braga.

The Scottish champions were paired with the Portuguese side they knocked out in the last 32 two years ago and if they repeat the feat they'll face either Italian outfit Atalanta or Bundesliga big guns RB Leipzig in the semis.

That's a mouth-watering prospect but van Bronckhorst is determined to look no further than Braga, who beat Monaco to reach this stage and whom, he insists, will be a huge hurdle to overcome.

Rangers will travel to Portugal for the first leg on April 7 and the Dutchman said: " Braga is a strong side. They were in the same group as Red Star so we have already watched the games they played against them.

“We are going to prepare well for this tie as well to go to the next round.

“We have achieved this moment together and we will fight hard to get to the next round.

“It’s special for all of us to be involved in Europe. To travel with all the support from our fans is a great feeling.

“We will be playing against Braga with 6,000 or 7,000 fans and that’s good. We have a good chemistry when they are with us and they push us on the pitch.

"I think it’s a good draw. All the teams left - the last eight - are very good teams. They are there because they deserve it. We know our opponents now so we are going to prepare as well as possible to be able to go to the next round.

"It’s going to be hard. Portuguese teams are always strong teams. Defensively very solid, always skilful players, so we need to prepare well but at least we know now who we play against.

"We just have to overcome Braga which will be very difficult and then we will see who we play next. We are just concentrating now on the next opponent and that’s Braga.

"As long as we play well and be strong, we can overcome this round as well, so we have to make sure we do everything to do that."

Van Bronckhorst will run a fitness roll-call ahead of tomorrow's league clash with Dundee at Dens Park but he looked back with real satisfaction at getting the job done against Red Star in Belgrade on Thursday.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst (SNS Group)

He added: "Of course we are very proud. We are working hard to win games. We took over in November and Steven (Gerrard) had the foundation in Europe, being in the group stage and having played four games. We just tried to go on and be successful in the games after it.

"It's not only my staff, it's everybody involved in this club for years. We have achieved this moment together and we will fight to get to the next round.

"To qualify for the quarter finals, I think it’s a huge achievement.

“It hasn’t happened a lot in recent years. So I am really happy for all of us to be in the quarter finals."

Rangers must now park Europe and concentrate on taking three points from Dundee tomorrow.

Van Bronckhorst said: "We switch to the domestic league and we need three points before the players go away on the international break.

“Dundee play quite defensively and try to punish us on the break but we deserved to go through in the cup last week.

“We have to have the same desire and determination this weekend from minute one.

"We have a big squad and a lot of players are fit, so it's a case today and tomorrow of seeing who is available, who looks fresh, who doesn't look fresh then make the best possible line-up to go to Dundee and to get the three points after the game."

And he is adamant that playing in Europe will not hinder his side's hopes domestically, adding: "We don't have to see progressing in Europe as a burden (domestically). How can it be a burden when we are in the last eight of Europe? We don't have to look at it that way.

"Of course, we have to play many games but we want to be involved in every competition and have everyone on board.

"Sunday is the same. We might rotate some players but in the end, we have to pick the best team of players to get the win."

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