ANTONIO COLAK realised a lifelong ambition when he heard the Champions League music for the first time with Malmo last season.
Now it is the Ibrox roar that he will have ringing in his ears as Rangers aim to overcome PSV and book their spot in the group stages this term.
Colak was, of course, the man that fired the Swedes to victory over Steven Gerrard's side twelve months ago as the heroes of 55 were left defeated and deflated on the European stage.
His goal in the win over Union Saint-Gilloise last week was important for a very different reason, though, as Rangers set up their play-off showdown with Eindhoven.
Colak lapped up the atmosphere as a vocal Ibrox crowd rose to the occasion and played their part on a famous night for Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side.
And the Croatian can't wait to experience the cacophony of noise and the rush of adrenaline once again now that the Eredivisie giants stand in Rangers' way.
“It’s the highest level you can play at," Colak said. “I think I don’t just speak for myself but all the other players when I say that.
“When you start to play football, and you hear the Champions League anthem, it’s one of the biggest things.
“We are now just two games away from that dream and I think everybody is prepared to give everything to be in the group stage.
“I mean, for me it is difficult to explain [the Ibrox factor]. The best thing to say is that when you walk out onto the pitch you always get goosebumps.
“It’s like a special push, a special feeling. In all the situations on the pitch those supporters help us.
“It makes us stronger and the other teams weaker. I think I can only describe it in those kind of words.
“I set my targets really high. I want to always play at the highest level I can. This is what I want this year as well.
“It’s an amazing feeling to hear that music, to be honest. I was lucky that I experienced it last year.
"I now want it again with Rangers and I want to be successful to reach more and more. Everybody has the same opinion.
“It started with the training when we got the different balls. We will hear the anthem again too and we want to reach this target.”
That Malmo clash proved to be a false dawn but a happy accident for Rangers as their Champions League exit was followed by the remarkable run to the Europa League final.
Colak heads into the PSV clash with three goals in three games and could get the nod to start ahead of Alfredo Morelos as the striker continues to build his fitness and sharpness this term.
The former PAOK forward failed to net as Malmo endured a difficult campaign in a group that contained Juventus, Chelsea and Zenit St Petersburg. But he has another career box to tick as Rangers eye a group stage berth this time around.
"Yes of course," Colak said when asked if it was the dream for any striker to score in the Champions League. "That means scoring against the best opponents you can have.
"But for me it does not matter if it is St Johnstone or PSV, I want always to score. I am hungry. I want to work.
"And this is what I did all my life and this is also what I want to do [against PSV. I just want to be successful and of course to score.
"For me as a player and a person, I always go to the maximum. It does not matter if it is training or games.
"To have a player like Alfredo Morelos and all the other quality players makes us reach the maximum in training and the games.
"To have him with me, of course it means a lot for the team that we can help the team with our work and our goals. We need players like this in every position to be successful as a team.
"To be honest, no [I don't set targets]. This is a question I get everywhere.
"As I said, I just want to reach the maximum in everything and I just want to give my best every day so the coach gives me the trust and the minutes and then I want to give him the trust back with my work on the pitch and my goals."
