GIO OUT TO GIVE73 FAIRYTALE CLUB REALITY CHECK

GIOVANNI van Bronckhorst knows a Rangers victory this evening might not be the choice of Europeans looking for a little romance amid the harsh realities of the Champions League.

The Dutchman readily recognises Union Saint-Gilloise’s return to prominence as a ‘fairytale’. A powerhouse in the early days of Belgian football, this little club from a suburb of Brussels had languished outside the top division since 1972. That was until last season. When they were back with a considerable bang.

Now owned by Brighton chairman Tony Bloom, Union came close to a first title since 1935 before eventually losing out to Club Brugge.

Their heroic effort has since seen star players lured away and the head coach, Felice Mazzu, exit for Anderlecht. But it left behind a crack at the continent’s elite competition under the guidance of Mazzu’s former assistant Karel Geraerts.

That bid begins in the nearby city of Leuven as their own, quaint Stade Joseph Marien ground does not meet UEFA standards. Getting past Rangers would obviously extend a fascinating underdog tale. Van Bronckhorst is well aware of that. But the Ibrox manager’s sole concern lies in penning another chapter in his side’s admirable story after last season’s run to the Europa League final. This is no time for sentiment.

‘First of all, of course I have seen Union last year and, as you said, the fairytale of an amazing year of getting promoted from the first league into the main league and then pushing for the title,’ said Van Bronckhorst, who confirmed Rabbi Matondo and Ridvan Yilmaz would travel with the squad.

‘It is an amazing story and in the end Union fell a bit short and Club Brugge were the champions.

‘It is fantastic for them to even be pushing for the title, which means they are now in the Champions League. I have a lot of respect for the players and the coach, who moved on.

‘The assistant took over and you can see a clear style of play. I know in Europe the name Union will not sound really familiar for most people — but if you look at the way they play, I think they deserve to be in the Champions League contention to go into the group stage.

‘We are preparing well. Of course Rangers is more well known, we have just been in the Europa League final, but every team in this round wants to go through and play in the group stage of the Champions League.

‘We have to be on top of our game to overcome this opponent. We have a lot of respect for them and we are going to push ourselves and work really hard to win against Union over two games.’

A win and a draw from Union’s first two league games in the new season suggests the summer disruption hasn’t been too damaging.

Rangers kicked off their own domestic campaign with a comeback win over Livingston but will have to iron out some flaws witnessed at the weekend if they are to now make this return to Europe a comfortable affair.

Expectations have been raised. The journey to Seville hoisted the profile of the club to a level not seen since the late, great Walter Smith was in charge.

Failure this season would therefore be all the more anti-climactic, but Van Bronckhorst (right) is confident his squad are capable of carrying the burden.

‘If you reach the Europa League final, you will be seen as the favourite to go into the Champions League group stage, as well,’ he admitted.

‘It is a very strong competition already in this round when you see the teams competing for the last places. The pressure is always there, that is why we are involved at a big club with Rangers.

‘For me, that is always the case. We have the opportunity to have a good run in August in Europe and qualify for the group stage. That is our aim and that starts against Union.’

Disappointment over the loss to Malmo 12 months ago — with Steven Gerrard still in charge — was eventually wiped away by excellence in the Europa League.

Rangers managed their two-legged knockout ties superbly, something Van Bronckhorst hopes will aid them now.

‘I think what we did really well last season, and also the seasons before, is to realise it’s two games,’ said the 47-year-old, who won the Champions League as a player with Barcelona.

‘You want to enter the second game with a good opportunity to go through. I think we did that very well last year. Now we have to execute our gameplan and be at our best.

‘I played many times in the Champions League. At Feyenoord, I coached in the Champions League so I know the competition is very tough, maybe the strongest club competition in the world.

‘To be involved in that competition would be fantastic for us. We have four games to realise that.

‘Tomorrow is the first leg in this first tie. We will do our best and try everything to overcome Union and then see who we have to play.’

Stalwart centre-back Connor Goldson is relishing the task ahead after signing a new four-year contract in the summer.

Asked about playing in the Champions League, Goldson said: ‘It’s a box I would love to tick. It’s obviously the pinnacle of football and a place where all footballers want to play.

‘But, at the same time, I don’t think that was the main decision behind me signing my contract. ‘Champions League football has been part of the agenda for the past two years and last year we didn’t make it.

‘Hopefully, this year we can and over the next few years me and this football club can play Champions League football. ‘We take a lot of confidence from last year, especially with the new manager coming in and settling in Europe.

‘We have had a good pre-season, we are looking strong. Livi wasn’t our greatest performance but it was always going to be hard going there. We are in a good place.’