BBC’s Tom English raves about Rangers European entertainment factor at Ibrox
Rangers are so entertaining at home in Europe that it would be risky to go to Ibrox to watch them with heart problems, says Tom English.
Trailing 2-0 from the miserable first leg in Belgium, the Gers turned things around in Glasgow on another top European night at home to win 3-0 on Tuesday (9 August) and go through to the Champions League Play-off against PSV.
A James Tavernier penalty right before the half was built on after the break by goals from Antonio Colak and Malik Tillman, and English was wowed by the action on the night.
Writing on his personal Twitter account during the second half the BBC man wrote: “Dunno how much Rangers fans pay to watch their team at home in Europe but it’s a thrill-fest nearly every time.
“Great entertainment but they wouldn’t want an iffy ticker going there…”
Formidable
The last year or so should make no team in Europe relish a trip to Glasgow in Europe to play in front of the Ibrox crowd.
That atmosphere is outstanding and the players now invariably respond by raising their game several levels, and it happened again this week.
It certainly represents better value for money than plenty of tickets in modern football and will no doubt have played a role in some of the summer signings wanting to play for the club.
But Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men are playing at home in the first leg of the crucial play-off against PSV so they are going to have to make the most of the advantage while they can in the hopes of taking a lead to the Netherlands.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side will be facing a former rival from both his playing and coaching days in the Light Blues’ former-Feyenoord man at manager so their fans will be looking to return the favour in the second leg.
But the prize on offer has to be enough to motivate these players, as they bid to reach the Champions League group stage for the first time in over a decade.
In other Rangers news, the club have already been put at a disadvantage as PSV have been given administrative help ahead of the tie.