Beating P Dortmun SV would top the wins over d, Red Star, Braga and Leipzig
Rangers icon, JORG ALBERTZ, hopes someo
Scoring the winning goal for Rangers against PSV in the 1999 Champions League clash was one of the greatest moments of Jorg Albertz’s career.
Now the German hopes one of the current Ibrox players can sample that sensational feeling by doing exactly the same in Eindhoven on Wednesday night.
With the tie finely poised at 2-2, it’s still all to play for, with the £35-million prize for reaching the group stage up for grabs.
Albertz will be watching, and hoping his former Ibrox team-mate, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, can lead the side to another memorable European victory.
And the former midfield icon – signed by Walter Smith for £4m in 1996 – insists victory in this one would top anything they achieved during last season’s run to the Europa League Final.
He told The Sunday Post: “Rangers enjoyed some fantastic nights, and we’ll never forget beating Borussia Dortmund, Red Star, Braga and RB Leipzig.
“It was just so unfortunate to come up short at the last hurdle against Eintracht Frankfurt. We were just one penalty-kick away from lifting the trophy, and automatic entry into the Champions League.
The chance to be in the draw with the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich is up for grabs
“That still hurts me, so I can only imagine how Giovanni and the players felt.
“But there is now a chance to create something special on Wednesday night – and it’s going to take something even better than last season’s results to beat PSV on their own ground.
“The chance to be in the draw with the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Liverpool and Manchester City is up for grabs.
“Let’s go for it. Give it absolutely everything.
“James Tavernier and the players can become the first Rangers team in more than a decade to be in this tournament. They can’t leave anything behind. They mustn’t have any regrets.
“PSV are in their way, and they showed at Ibrox that they are a very capable side. They are talented and very good technically, with good speed in the team.
“But they are not unbeatable. This is far from a lost cause for Rangers.
“I was fortunate enough to score against PSV when we won 1-0 over there in the Champions League. That was almost 25 years ago, but it still feels like yesterday.
“Dick Advocaat didn’t start me that night, but I came on for Claudio Reyna, and scored with just six minutes to go.
“My family were in the Philips Stadium, and it was one of the best feelings of my career to score in front of them.
“I can also remember my celebration, pointing to the back of my jersey with my name on it. It made for a nice photograph!
“We deserved it that night. It was a great team performance. The Rangers fans, as usual, were also brilliant.
“So that showed it can be done. Rangers can win over there. We can do it.
“I want someone from the current team to feel exactly the way I did in 1999. Trust me, they will not be disappointed! It will be a highlight, for sure.
“Yes, maybe PSV are the slight favourites because of home advantage, and they have put themselves in the driving seat after the first leg.
“You have to give credit to Ruud van Nistelrooy and his players for the way they handled the occasion at Ibrox.
“But Rangers can still produce something special on Wednesday. As Marvin Andrews used to say during the ‘Helicopter Sunday’ season in 2005, keep believing.
“He was right back then, and I’m sure big Marvin is saying the same thing right now.”
Van Bronckhorst was angry that his side couldn’t keep hold of their lead in the first leg, and has demanded his players defend better from set-pieces on Wednesday night.
The Dutchman believes if they can do that, they have the talent and ability in the final third of the pitch to score.
Albertz agrees with that assessment, and reckons Malik Tillman could emerge as a hero.
He said: “Giovanni has made a few changes in the summer, and I think he is assembling a very exciting squad.
“A number of players are still young, and finding their way.
“The demands of playing for a club as big as Rangers are high, and you need to be able to handle it all, on and off the park.
“I expect the Rangers players to be ready to give their all in Eindhoven. Mentally, they need to be fullyfocused and, physically, they need to give everything in their bodies for 90 minutes, and possibly extra-time.
“To win the game, we will need every player right on it. I would imagine it will also need players to make a contribution from the bench as well.
“Malik Tillman is a player who could really emerge in this tie. He is on loan from Bayern Munich, and I believe they have high hopes for him.
“To be with Bayern, you need to have some really good qualities. The fact they are sending him out on loan, and clearly have a plan for his pathway at Munich, tells its own story.
“I’m told he has an excellent attitude, is a pleasure to work with every day and wants to learn and improve.
“He has already scored goals for Rangers, and he will be looking for another in Eindhoven.
“Tillman is an intelligent footballer, and it’s about timing his runs, and picking his moment.
“He might only get one clearcut opportunity, but he needs
to be ready to take it, and make it count.
“If Rangers are to go and win this tie, it’s going to take an almighty team performance, and might need a bit of individual brilliance, too.
“Maybe Malik will be the man? Or maybe it could be Ryan Kent, or a Connor Goldson header? I’d settle for anything, as long as there is a winning goal for Rangers.
“I’m sure Giovanni will come up with something. He usually does. Tactically, he never stands still in the 90 minutes, and is willing to change. He reads the game very well, and is quick to react to situations.
“He and his staff know the Dutch opposition inside out, so there is
nobody better to have in charge for this game.
“It’s just important to get off to a steady start, and not allow PSV to dominate the ball. Rangers need to unsettle them, and unsettle the home crowd.
“Remember, there is also huge pressure the Dutch to deliver on Wednesday night. Rangers must be ready to use this to their own advantage.
“If the players can score first, it will make the PSV fans uneasy and fearful. That’s the kind of situation Rangers must create.
“I wish Giovanni and the players well – and I
think they can do it.”