GERS TOP EURO SCORERS
in recent years though. Tavernier reckons something special happens around Govan on these occasions.
And he’s hoping this will be another to add to the list of crackers alongside modern classics such as RB Leipzig, Braga and Borussia Dortmund on the way to Seville, going back to Feyenoord, Porto and Legia Warsaw.
Tavernier has the glory run of 2022 as inspiration and said: “From previous experiences in the Europa League I know the fans come here and bring with them an electric energy.
“We are going to give it our all and hopefully get to the next round.
“What would I change from 2022? Obviously winning the final!
“The squad is different but the same principles are there.
“You’ve got to outwork your opponent and really dial into the tactical details required for the game.
“That’s the thing about European football, it’s always an open game so you really enjoy it, especially at Ibrox.
“You saw what the atmosphere was like during the run to the final and what the fans can bring to the table. We will need that this time.
“But we have to give the fans a performance so they can get behind us. We’re going to be on the front foot from the whistle and take the game to them.”
Rangers also have a sense of injustice from the first leg. The penalty decision against John Souttar was a shocker and it’s clearly still gnawing at manager Philippe Clement.
Tavernier admitted the Ibrox side sometimes need to be wary when it comes to European clashes.
He said: “I didn’t see the penalty incident in real time but when you look back at it you can clearly see it hits his head and it hits his arm afterwards.
“We’ve seen with the history of VAR, whether it be Premier League, Champions League or Europa League, there is always going to be human error inside it. So we’ve just got to deal with it.
“Going forward, maybe harsher challenges can happen in our league compared to Europe. Whatever happens on the day you’ve just got to deal with it.
“We know the European referees are more on point when it comes to any fouls. They can easily give a yellow card out quickly.
“But we’ve seen that happen in our league so we’ve just got to use our experience of how to play the game.”
Tavernier is hoping the officials don’t fall for any carry-on either, with the likes of Angel di Maria giving Tom Daley a run for his money in the diving stakes last week.
The Rangers captain said: “It’s part and parcel of football. It’s how you play the game.
“If players are clever with it, if players are streetwise with it, they can get decisions that aren’t the right decisions.
“You make the slightest touch and they go down. But if it’s a touch they see it’s a touch and it can get given.
“You’ve almost got to play on the same playing field.
“You’ve just got to deal with how the game breaks down.”
Tavernier will be on guard and he knows Rangers will need to do it the hard way with Dujon Sterling and Ross McCausland added to the lengthy list of crocks.
The full-back added: “That has been the story since the gaffer has come in – the squad has really been together in what we have tried to do.
“Everybody knows what position they need to do or if they have to go into a different position.
“Obviously Dujon is going to be a big miss but we have got players who can take his place and do a job for the team.”