GVBMESSAGE: LEIPTHEFAITH
a first-leg last-four advantage thanks to a stunning late volley by Spaniard Angelino.
But van Bronckhorst saw enough to convince him that a raucous home crowd can turn the tie around – just as they did in the quarter-final against Braga.
He said: “We can overcome a 1-0 defeat away from home and I’m sure Ibrox will give us the energy.
“Yes, it is always disappointing to lose so late on but it’s a 1-0 defeat and we know what we have to do next week.
“The players played really well and Ibrox will give us the energy to give everything.
“We were really good, well organised and didn’t give many chances away.
“Of course, with their quality you always know they will create some chances – especially in the areas where it’s compact they have the players who can play really fast.
“Allan McGregor had some really good saves but the first half was more making sure they couldn’t create goals.
“But we weren’t as confident on the ball as we were in the second half when we created dangerous moments.
“They have the quality up front and with the subs they made but we had a good overall display and next week we have to win so we have to attack them at the right moment with more bodies.”
Van Bronckhorst had to go with a makeshift attack of Scott Wright and Ryan Kent with Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe both out.
Roofe and Aaron Ramsey could be back for the return clash but van Bronckhorst said: “It’s too early to comment but we hope they’re back.
“It’s a day-by-day decision so we’ll wait and see who is available.”
James Tavernier insists Leipzig may have blown the chance to wreck Rangers’ dream of a
Europa League Final in Seville. The Gers skipper said: “We know 1-0 going to Ibrox we are still well in the game. And we know what we can produce back at home with our fans right behind us.
“Away from home, we wanted to take a good result back to Ibrox. It’s only 1-0, we know we are more than capable of bringing this in our favour.
“We know we can be better going forward.”
Rangers set out to stifle Leipzig’s attack and frustrated the home side for long spells before finally caving in five minutes from time when Spanish left-back Angelino smashed in from 20 yards.
But Tavernier believes the second leg will be a very different story.
He added: “We limited their chances but we conceded off a set-piece. Our organisation wasn’t good, it cost us.
“It was a great strike but we could have prevented it so we are disappointed with that.
“But next week we have more players coming back from injury so we will be fitter and stronger. We are looking forward to it.
“They are coming with a 1-0 lead so you’d think they are going to be more defensive.
“But we are going to be fully at it from the first whistle. We are going to try and score as many goals as possible and try to keep the ball out of the back of our net.
“We defended well during this match, it was just the set-piece that let us down. We are more than capable of doing what we need to do.”