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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Walker

Red Star claim Gio van Bronckhorst made private Rangers admission after mammoth Europa League win

Dejan Stankovic claims Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst told him a draw would have been a fair scoreline in the first Europa League first leg.

And he's told the Premiership champions to expect a wounded animal in the return clash on Thursday.

Rangers boast an impressive 3-0 first leg lead to the Balkans as they aim to cement their place in the Europa League quarter-finals of the competition.

Stankovic appeared to snub van Bronckhorst's offer of a handshake at full time as he stormed down the Ibrox tunnel, but the former Inter Milan and Lazio star revealed they chatted after the game.

And he's convinced the tie is far from over.

He said: "I spoke to Giovanni van Bronckhorst after the match and he said himself that when you look at the scoreline, 3-0 was a great victory for them.

"But if anyone watched the game, he said they would have witnessed an even match with a lot of chances for both teams. It's half time, so let's see what happens in the second half.

"I want to show Rangers just how the Marakana thunders and how difficult it can be to play there.

"The stadium will be full and that changes everything. Our fans are the 12th man and we are not giving this up.

"Yes, 3-0 was a great result for Rangers, but let's not forget that we too scored three goals and missed a penalty. We also missed two or three really good chances.

"Rangers gave in to our attacks and that tells me, we can get something on Thursday. We certainly aren't surrendering.

"I repeat I was happy with the way we played in Glasgow."

And Red Star will change their penalty taker after Aleksandar Katai was denied by a wonder save from the spot by Allan McGregor.

Stankovic said: "Ohi Omoijuanfo will be taking any penalties from now on. We only had a conversion rate from penalties of 50 per cent and that's not good enough.

"It's simple. You calmly walk up to the ball and score a goal."

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