Rangers ace Jon McLaughlin urges teammates to forget about Borussia Dortmund
Rangers goalkeeper Jon McLauglin has urged his teammates to forget about their Europa League clash with Borussia Dortmund with Scottish Cup duties their main priority.
The Gers travel to Annan Athletic this evening (February 12) to face the Scottish League Two side.
McLaughlin understands how big the occasion is but has reminded his teammates to remain focused for the task ahead.
“It’s always difficult. People would be lying if they said they didn’t have something like that in the back of their mind or didn’t have an eye on fixtures like that coming up.” He said as per The Herald.
“Especially with the away leg first, going to a stadium like that and playing in that atmosphere is probably something on a lot of players’ bucket lists.
“But at a club like Rangers, this is business as usual. We play a lot of games and the European ties are always in there among the league and domestic cup fixtures.
“It’s part of the job here to stay focused on the next fixture, get that out of the way first and make sure you are in the hat for the next round.
“If you’ve done that, then you can go and enjoy the Dortmund fixture. But in the meantime, there’s been no talk in the building from the manager or staff about that game. It’s fully focused on Annan.”
Huge.
Understandably all eyes will be on the Bears trip to Germany on Thursday (February 17).
McLaughlin is spot on, but you can hardly blame his teammates for overlooking what should be a routine win against a league two side.
The 34-year-old has to come out and put the focus back on the next match ahead but everyone, McLaughlin included, will have one eye on the massive Europa League last 16 tie.
Dortmund are a top side, but the Gers need to go into the game with full confidence.
The German side have conceded nine goals in their last three games so they are definitely there for the taking if the Bears play how we all know they can.
If they manage a positive result away from home, it is all to play for and the expected scintillating atmosphere at Ibrox could play a key part in deciding the tie.
As McLaughlin said though, let’s get past Annan first.
In other Gers news, Rangers ace Jon McLaughlin says there is no tension for number one spot.