Brian Laudrup reacts as Rangers move to Champions League group stages
Rangers have progressed through to the group stages of the Champions League, and they are pitted in a strong group alongside Liverpool, Ajax and Napoli.
Brian Laudrup has shared his reaction to this fantastic achievement, and he feels that this is the perfect reward for the progress the club have made under the Dutchman.
The former Bears hero has suggested that clubs in Europe will fear visiting Ibrox, adding that the Dutch champions won’t take it lightly.
“Wow. After 12 years away from the Champions League, yesterday’s group stage draw unmistakably shows Rangers are back in the big time. This is the real stuff. As tough as it gets, really. But Rangers fans will absolutely relish it. And so will Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his players,” wrote Laudrup for Scottish Daily Mail (page 86).
“They are getting to test themselves at the very highest level and they won’t approach the immense challenge ahead with any fear. Group A is stamped with Champions League quality. After doing so well in the Europa League in recent seasons, I think my old club wanted to feel they were right in beside the elite this time.
“They have that for sure. But there’s another side to this. If you asked any of the other teams in the section, I’d guess they wouldn’t have fancied Rangers from pot four — or a trip to Ibrox in particular. They will love the atmosphere and the fact it’s a real football stadium. But it’s now a place where opponents go with a little bit of trepidation.
“Ajax only need to look at what happened to PSV Eindhoven to know how tough it can be against Van Bronckhorst’s men. Home or away. The Dutch champions won’t take it lightly. And what a story with Calvin Bassey heading back to Ibrox so soon after his club-record move this summer. Talking of storylines, a Battle of Britain against Liverpool is just incredible for the media and supporters.
“Jurgen Klopp’s team haven’t started this season firing on all cylinders. We don’t know what form they will be in by the time they come to Ibrox but maybe — just maybe — there can be chances against them. In contrast, Napoli have made a great opening to Serie A.
“It’s an extremely tough place to go, I know that from my time in Italy, but this Rangers squad has built so much experience. They have been to Dortmund and won. They have been to Eindhoven and won. That can only instil belief. To me, it’s just a fantastic draw. The perfect reward for all the progression made under Van Bronckhorst since he succeeded Steven Gerrard. Bring it on.”
Spot on
Laudrup is absolutely spot on. Rangers have come this far through sheer merit, and they must enjoy the process.
They have been pitted in the group of death, but they must relish this adventure.
If the Bears can get positive results against the teams at home, and even beat any of them, it will mean huge to the development of Scottish football.
Likewise, Rangers need to make sure they don’t suffer heavy defeats away from home as well. If they can play to their plans, they are capable of beating anyone.
They have beaten Borussia Dortmund and PSV Eindhoven away from home. They are well capable of getting a positive result, even a draw in Holland and in Italy.
Liverpool will probably their toughest test, but Jurgen Klopp’s side hasn’t started well this season. They are in the process of transition, and it’s not a bad time to face them.
In other Rangers news, Dutch newspapers reacted dramatically to the Gers’ win over PSV in the Champions League.