Wolves star Rodrigo Gomes makes 'crazy' Rangers and Ibrox admission

Few footballing amphitheatres generate a better atmosphere than Ibrox on a Rangers matchday.

Gers' home will celebrate its 127th birthday on 30 December.

It's been through numerous renovations since then, but despite that, it still retains its historic feel today.

As a result, the 51,700-capacity venue is one of the most iconic and instantly recognisable in European football.

Few grounds are as electric than Ibrox under the lights, especially on a European night.

That notion has been reaffirmed by one player whose experience of playing in Govan has stuck with him.

What has Rodrigo Gomes said about Ibrox experience?

No Rangers fan will ever forget the run their team went on in the Europa League during the 2021-22 season.

Under the management of Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Gers reached the final of the competition which was held in Sevilla, Spain.

Frankfurt would defeat Rangers on penalties 5-4 in the final, but pride outshone the pain for many supporters.

It was a run to the final that saw many memorable results and nights at Ibrox, one of them being the quarter-final second leg against Braga.

Rodrigo Gomes played for Braga that night, with the 23-year-old now playing for English Championship side Wolves having signed for them as a Premier League club in 2024.

As cited by Rangers Review writer Derek Clark via X, Gomes was asked in Wolves' programme ahead of their game against Bolton to describe the best atmosphere he's ever played in.

"My first big game was in the Europa League with Braga, and the quarter-finals was at Rangers," the ex-Portuguese youth international recalled.

"It was so crazy - crazy noise, crazy atmosphere. It was my first big game with fans so it stays in my mind."

So, how did Gomes get on in that game which ended in heartbreak for his then-Braga side?

How did Gomes perform for Braga vs Rangers?

After losing the first leg in Portugal 1-0, Rangers had work to do in the second leg at Ibrox if they were to progress to the semi-finals.

Thankfully, Gers' task was made easier when Braga were reduced to 10 just before half-time, at which point James Tavernier had already scored a brace.

David Carmo pulled one back for the Portuguese side on 83 minutes to take the tie to extra-time, before Kemar Roofe won it in the 103rd minute.

Gomes started on Braga's left wing that April 2022 night, and played 61 minutes before being withdrawn.

Per FotMob, he only completed 12 passes, created zero chances, took zero shots on goal and was unsuccessful with his lone dribble attempt.

Evidently then, the Ibrox atmosphere he recalls in this interview clearly got to him and impacted his performance on the pitch that night.