Brian Laudrup: Rangers squad need reminding of recent European success to salvage Champions League campaign
Rangers sit bottom of Group A in the Champions League after suffering three consecutive defeats to Ajax, Napoli and Liverpool.
If Rangers are to salvage anything from their Champions League campaign this season, Brian Laudrup believes Giovanni van Bronckhorst must remind his squad of their past European success.
They came within touching distance of winning the Europa League last season, but look far more fearful and reserved in Europe this season.
Laudrup, via his Scottish Daily Mail column (6 October, print edition, page 82), urged Van Bronckhorst to instil some belief in his squad.
“There seems a lack of belief within individuals and within the team. That’s the biggest thing for me,” he said.
“We all understand the gulf in finance and quality the Champions League presents for Scottish clubs. I’ve experienced it myself and know how tough it can be. We also have to recognise that Rangers are in one of the tougher sections of this season’s competition. That’s a fact.
“The starting point must be some self-confidence about competing at this elite level. If I’m being honest, I didn’t see it against Liverpool. Without Allan McGregor’s world-class saves, they could have lost five or six goals.
“I think Giovanni van Bronckhorst must get into the minds of his players and emphasise what they have done at home in Europe over recent years. The Rangers players must remind themselves they are still in it.”
Underdog spirit
Laudrup is right – Rangers knew heading into the Champions League that they’d be well up against it.
On top of that, they were drawn into one of the toughest groups in the whole tournament.
But the Rangers of old thrived in the biggest of games, and Van Bronckhorst needs to bring that back.
The club’s Europa League run last season was full of upsets and surprises, and it all came from the side sticking together, being brave and not fearing their opponent.
Sadly, Rangers couldn’t have looked more fearful of their opposition in the first three Champions League matches, but there’s still time for them to amend it.
With two of the final three fixtures at Ibrox, the home crowd will be doing everything to give the squad confidence, and hopefully it brings back the ruthlessness of Rangers last season in Europe.
Sitting back and inviting pressure doesn’t work and Van Bronckhorst now knows it. Rangers need to get aggressive and pile pressure on teams at Ibrox if they have any chance of rescuing European football this season.
In other Rangers news, Simon Jordan insists Rangers could get zero points in their Champions League group