GIO IS FULLY GEARED UP TO LIFTING THE BLUES
Boss declares Rangers are fired up for Hampden showdown after Euro agony
HAVING emptied the tank in Seville, Rangers must somehow ensure there is sufficient fuel to stop the juggernaut coughing and spluttering as the final yards of an epic season come into view.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst will take some comfort from knowing his side are not completely unfamiliar with this scenario.
One month ago, having gone to extra-time against Braga in the Europa League quarter-finals, they showed extraordinary levels of fitness and desire to edge Celtic over 120 minutes in the Scottish Cup semi-final.
The task facing them today is significantly tougher on two counts. That game against the Portuguese took place just a few miles up the road from Hampden, with the heat incomparable with the frying pan that was Seville.
Van Bronckhorst’s men also faced Celtic while on a high from reaching a European semi-final. They will now face Hearts with the psychological baggage of that journey being cruelly ended by Eintracht Frankfurt.
The trick of ensuring his players are mentally and physically ready for such a big challenge so soon after a devastating loss is not taught on coaching courses. It comes down to character, drive and heart. In that regard, the Rangers manager has slept easy.
‘I have a lot of confidence in my team and their ability to regroup and recover,’ he said. ‘We didn’t get the outcome we wanted but overall it was good for my team to get the experience of playing in such a big game.
‘To get very close but have a disappointment in achieving silverware… the disappointment is very big. All the big teams in Europe play in Champions League and Europa League finals and there can only be one winner. Sometimes the big team is losing.
‘But we have a very important game (which) gives us the chance of silverware this season and that’s what our focus is on. I have full confidence my team will be ready when the whistle goes.’
Borna Barisic is not physically able to play today and it’s legitimate to ask if Aaron Ramsey will be in the right mental frame of mind.
When the Welshman arrived on loan from Juventus in January, the expectation was that he’d make an indelible mark at Ibrox.
The only player to miss from the penalty spot as Rangers’ hopes of immortality were washed away in Spain, his time in Glasgow will forever be synonymous with that moment.
Even for a world-class talent who’s pretty much seen it all in the game, compartmentalising such a costly moment of calamity must be easier said than done.
‘We all had the disappointment of Wednesday’s game, unfortunately Aaron as well,’ added Van Bronckhorst. ‘He was very down after the game and still on Thursday. We needed to lift him up, as we did with every player in the squad.
‘We are focusing now on the final and we have to take the loss as a team, support each other as part of the Rangers family and make sure we’re ready for the game against Hearts.
‘Obviously Aaron is down but we’re lifting him and he has all my support and the support of his team-mates. I’m sure he will feel the same support in the stadium when the fans will welcome him.’
Calvin Bassey may have picked up the same colour of medal as Ramsey but it was no reflection of the imperious performance he gave on the night.
Something of a slow burner since joining from Leicester City two years ago, the defender has improved immeasurably in recent months.
Even before he demonstrated his pace and strength to a world-wide audience in Seville, the 22-year-old’s progress was being noted far and wide. Fulham, West Ham and Borussia Dortmund have now joined an ever-growing queue for his services.
Van Bronckhorst feels this can only be a win-win scenario for Rangers. ‘I was very impressed with Calvin’s performance as I have been recently. He has been playing really well in the last couple of months. His development as a player and a person is amazing to see. I love working with him.
‘If you see how he has played, especially in the later stages of the Europa, he played really well. I’m really happy for him because it will benefit his development as a player.
‘He’s 22, still young, but he’s very open to advice. He wants to be better and stronger every day. For me, it’s ideal to work with him.
‘If you have these kinds of performances in Europe, then there’s going to be attention, but I hope to see him for as long as possible in my team.’
If the Nigerian international isn’t the first name on the team sheet today, he’ll be pretty close to it.
Given the rigours of Wednesday, the name of Alex Lowry might well feature, too. An unused sub in Seville, the teenager’s fresh legs could be just the tonic for a side that may be running on empty.
‘I’m excited to see all my players play tomorrow,’ said the manager. ‘Alex is a big talent who has made his breakthrough this year and hopefully he will extend that development. He’s started some games for us in recent weeks but the prospect of him getting stronger and stronger is pushing me to help him. He will be in the squad tomorrow and hopefully can play a part in the final.’
The blizzard of games which began with a 3-0 win over Livingston last July will finally be over this evening.
Whatever the outcome, Van Bronckhorst’s players will have been able to give no more.
‘Some of my players played the most minutes of all the players in Europe,’ he said.
‘We use a lot of data. We can measure a lot of things in football right now about the load of players and the distance they have run.
‘So we are using software to see where we can help players or when we need to be careful.
‘It’s the direction where every club is going. It’s getting more important especially with the load of games we had this season.’