Rangers put at disadvantage for PSV clash as Dutch FA steps in to help out
Rangers are already facing an uphill battle in their crucial European qualifier against PSV Eindhoven thanks to the Dutch FA, Voetbal International reports.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side did what needed to be done against Union Saint-Gilloise on Tuesday night (9 August), winning 3-0 at Ibrox to overturn their two-goal deficit and advance to the Champions League Play-off.
They face Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men, who overcame Monaco, but are already at a disadvantage after the KNVB handed the Dutch side a “luxury position”.
According to the VI report, PSV’s league game against FA Volendam on 20 August, which would have fallen between the two meetings with the Bears has been moved to after the tie to give them a clear week of preparations.
The move has been made in the “interest of Dutch football” and gives the Bears’ opponents an advantage in a crucial match-up.
In contrast, the Gers face Hibernian on the Saturday in between before they can turn their attentions back to European football.
Doing it the hard way
It’s not the be all and end all but it does tip the balance slightly in favour of the Dutch side, especially seeing as the Light Blues won’t be able to call on the Ibrox support in the second leg, playing at home first this time.
Whether the Scottish FA could arrange a similar move to level the playing field remains to be seen, but if they don’t it is going to be an even bigger challenge.
On the plus side, it looks like the team has woken up after the sluggish first game of the European campaign in Belgium.
They were aided by USG’s inability to deal with high balls into the box, as they conceded a needless penalty for James Tavernier’s opener, and gave Malik Tillman an open goal to nod home the winner.
It’s unlikely that van Nistelrooy’s side will be as accommodating so former teammate van Bronckhorst will need his players to raise their game further.
The fact that the Ibrox boss is a former player and manager of rivals Feyenoord will no doubt motivate the PSV fans all the more in the return leg, with their squad fresh, so it is sure to be a tough task in the Netherlands.
In other Rangers news, an outlandish claim has been made over the status of one of the star men at Ibrox.