THIS WAY TO SEVILLEFINAL
going all out to deliver that dream day out on May 18 for their expectant supporters.
The Dutch gaffer said: “Of course it is exciting. Playing a semi-final is exciting. Reaching a final is of course very exciting but still we have to overcome the semi-final.
“We have watched Leipzig play a lot of times, we are preparing well for the game, but of course you feel you are coming close to the final.
“It is still two games to be played and we are going to play against a tough opponent. But we will do everything we can and give 100 per cent in both legs to be in the final next week.”
It’s 14 years since Rangers last made it all the way to a UEFA final but, like Walter Smith’s class of 2008, the gruelling schedule is taking its toll on van Bronckhorst’s side.
Injured frontmen Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe have remained at home alongside fellow casualties Filip Helander, Ianis Hagi and Aaron Ramsey – meaning Fashion Sakala will likely be asked to lead the line in some capacity.
But the Rangers boss shot down wild internet rumours suggesting Germany’s strict Covid rules may have scuppered his plans for starting the Zambian international.
With so many key men missing though van Bronckhorst admitted his starting 11 is likely to pick itself as he insisted the deciding factor on whether Rangers will still be in the tie by the time Leipzig head to Glasgow for next week’s return will be down to performances rather than clever tactical tweaks.
Asked if he had big selection calls to make, he said: “Well, not a big decision. We have players who are not available.
“I always watch the opponent and look at which players we have available and make my plans for the games.
“You know we showed on Sunday that the players who are in the team can perform as well. We need a big performance in this game so there is no big decision for me.
“It’s just about choosing the right game plan and the players perform well. We came through the weekend okay and have no new injuries.
“We still have the same squad available that we had at Motherwell. Of course, the injured players are still injured. But there are no fresh injuries from the weekend. We are going to Germany with a big plane. We have a lot of players and a lot of staff. So Fashion is travelling.”
Rangers have already fired off one successful shot at Bundesliga opposition, dumping out Borussia Dortmund.
But van Bronckhorst admits his side will have to pick and chose carefully when to lash out at Domenico Tedesco’s Leipzig outfit, a side who have lost just two games in their last 21.
He said: “It depends on the game, of course. You always want to attack and create chances. I think we have shown that in all the games we have had – also away from home.
“We just have to make sure we do the right thing at the right moment. I am sure we will have moments when we are defending.
“But we have to also wait for moments when we can attack and create dangerous chances to score. It’s a semi-final of the Europa League so the level is high and the level that’s needed is also high.
“So we have to prepare well and make sure we have a good result to take back to Ibrox.”