Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst believes that the UCL woes do not add pressure to their domestic performances. The Ibrox men entered the top club competition in European football for the first time in 12 years, but have struggled to get going. Last week’s crushing 7-1 loss to Liverpool was their worst defeat at Ibrox and the joint-worst of all time. With four Group A games remaining with a trip to league leaders Napoli and a home match against Ajax yet to come, last year’s Europa League finalists are mired at the bottom of their division with no points, only one goal scored, and 16 goals allowed.
Following their 2-1 victory at Motherwell on Sunday, Rangers now trail Premiership leaders Celtic by two points. They are getting ready for Dundee’s visit to Ibrox on Wednesday night for the quarterfinal of the Premier Sports Cup. The Gers manager, however, maintains that the top competition is always the goal and does not think that European problems add pressure to local obligations.
“Even though we performed exceptionally well in Europe last season, we also had to give our local league our full attention. It’s the same this year. We are dealing with a significant change in level. To compete and give your all to get to those levels,” Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst said about their UCL results. “Because the competition is weaker than what we currently face, it would be easy for us to simply participate in the Conference League or Europa League, but that is not what a top player or manager who wants to compete against the best wants.”
