A learning curve back to Paradise

GIOVANNI Van Bronckhorst insists Rangers have learned from their beating by Celtic at Parkhead as they prepare to return there tomorrow.

The Light Blues were brushed aside 3-0 at Celtic Park in February before they went down 2-1 in the next Old Firm game at Ibrox, with Rangers seeing off the Hoops 2-1 in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park earlier this month.

Rangers are in recovery mode from the 1-0 Europa League semi-final defeat by RB Leipzig on Thursday night but boss Van Bronckhorst insists his side, six points behind cinch Premiership leaders Celtic, are in a good place as they look forward to the final Old Firm game of the season

The Dutchman told Sky Sports: “I think we have learned, of course. The two Old Firms after that were different from the one we played in February.

“On Sunday, we have to see, we will prepare for the game well and the team will go out and make sure we do everything we can to get a good result.

“I think the players and the team have developed from that moment. I think we are in much better shape and momentum now.”

Van Bronckhorst believes Rangers can draw on the positivity of the 2-1 extra-time win over Celtic at Hampden Park – which set up a Scottish Cup final meeting with Hearts next month – when they make their way to the east end of Glasgow although he recognised the significance of the game.

The former Rangers player said: “Well of course it was a big result for us to reach the cup final.

“All we can do is prepare well and show we are 100% on Sunday.

“Celtic have the advantage and we have to make sure we do everything we can on Sunday to get the difference back to three.

“Otherwise it will be very difficult for us to become champions.”

Van Bronckhorst remains confident that Rangers can overcome RB Leipzig next week.

He said: “I’ve had more hours to think about the game.

“The overall feeling straight after the game was over was about the disappointing goal we had against us so late.

“But overall I’m quite pleased with the performance of the players.

“I think we played really well in making sure Red Bull didn’t have a lot of chances to score.”

Agony for Celtic’s Carl Starfelt as his own-goal in extra time gives Rangers a 2-1 win over their arch-rivals in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.