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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Rangers & PSV hold talks to prevent hostile stadium arrival after shocking scenes

Michael Beale has confirmed there have been discussions between Rangers and PSV after shocking scenes ahead of the match last season.

A Rangers team bus was delayed at the stadium when the teams met in the Champions League play-off last season with PSV fans banging on the windows in a hostile arrival.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst had been left furious over the situation with a 20-minute delay to pre-match preparations as a result of the team bus being surrounded.

Rangers had requested the kick-off time be delayed to compensate for the issue but this was denied by UEFA.

Now, Beale has confirmed discussions have taken place in the background to ensure no repeat of the scenes in Eindhoven last year.

He confirmed: "There have been talks in the background about that.

"There was a problem with one of the busses but we think that was just on that night.

"We don't envisage any issues. PSV have been playing in Europe for many a year, it's a high-quality club so we trust their organisation for sure."

Furious van Bronckhorst had branded the pre-match situation last season as the worst he'd ever seen as a player or manager.

However, Rangers overcame the situation to progress to the Champions League group stage - a feat they aim to repeat with the scoreline poised at 2-2 after the first-leg at Ibrox this time.

Van Bronckhorst said: "It's the worst I've seen as a player and manager. You should expect from a club as big as PSV they'd have the organisation right. We had to wait 15 minutes in front of the stadium and one bus just left. So we were 20 minutes delayed. It's not the reception you expect.

"The preparation is shorter. They'd delay the kick-off normally but they didn't approve our request.

"We will be ready. We will be ready to go into this game with fighting spirit."

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