Giovanni van Bronckhorst keeps believing after PSV draw at Ibrox
They go into the second leg in Eindhoven all square
Giovanni van Bronckhorst believes Rangers can still qualify for the Champions League after a 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their play-off tie at Ibrox.
The visitors took the lead in the 37th minute through defender Ibrahim Sangare but Antonio Colak levelled three minutes later, the Croatia striker scoring for the fourth game in a row.
PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez blundered in the 69th minute, allowing Tom Lawrence's free-kick to cross the line, but PSV defender Armando Obispo headed in an equaliser with 12 minutes remaining to keep the tie in the balance ahead of next week's return in Eindhoven.
The Dutchman told BT Sport: "We got the free-kick from Tom to go 2-1 up but you know, all goals count. How you score doesn't matter.
"In the end, we lost a goal from a set piece and that was disappointing. But the tie is still open and we have the chance to go through next week.
"Of course we can do it. It's the second leg, they play at home and hopefully we can get more space and try to win. We have to do that to get our goal and we will give everything."
Van Bronckhorst will be looking for his side to defend set pieces better after they conceded two goals from corners.
He said: "We were a bit unlucky with the first goal. We had the first contact but the ball stayed in the area.
"The second? We have to be stronger and get first contact on the corner.
"It was a very close game. The differences aren't that big and we saw that in this game.
"PSV got the first goal and that's always important but we fought back well.
"We scored a good goal to make it 1-1 and then you saw the game we wanted with high tempo and speed going forward.
"But this was a high quality game against a good side. This is the level we want to compete at.
"PSV showed they are a good team at big moments and so did we. That is why the game ended 2-2."
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who took over PSV in the summer, was happy to meet up again with his former Manchester United manager - Sir Alex Ferguson was in the Ibrox stand to watch his former side.
The 46-year-old said: "I was proud that he watched. I'm glad he's well. I spoke to him just briefly but he's well and looking great. His family is well.
"It was great to see him. For him to see me on the touchline at Ibrox is a proud moment for me.
"I learned so much from him. When you develop yourself as a coach, you obviously look back at the managers you had, what they did, how they formed a team, the style of play and how they managed individuals. He is such an example in that sense."
Looking forward to the return game in front of his own fans, the former Netherlands team-mate of van Bronckhorst added: "Next week we have that support but both teams are very level with playing styles so it is reduced to one game, a final at home.
"So we have to prepare and be at our best to get a good game against Rangers.
"I thought it was a game with two halves, Rangers were on top in the first half, although of course we had the goal.
"We were on top in the second half and created more chances. 2-2 was a fair result and now it is reduced to one game."
William Wilton
William Wilton was Rangers' first manager who served the club in this post for over 20 years from 1899 to 1920. In his time at Rangers he brought home eight league titles and one Scottish Cup before passing away while still in his position as manager on the 2nd May 1920.
Bill Struth
The most decorated and longest-serving Rangers manager to-date Bill Struth, managed Rangers from 1920 all the way up to 1954. He won 18 League titles and 10 Scottish Cups as well as 2 League Cups and seven wartime League Championships.
Scot Symon
Scot Symon managed Rangers from 1954 to 1967 and guided the team to six League titles, five Scottish Cups and 4 League Cups. He was also the first Rangers manager to have previously played for the club and helped the club win a League title in 1939.
David White
Having previously played for Clyde, David White became manager of Rangers in November of 1967 and was the first Rangers manager not to win any major honours while in charge. He then became one of the three managers dismissed by the club in 1969.
William Waddell
Ex-Rangers player William Waddell took the helm at the end of 1969 and led the side to a League Cup win and to their only continental trophy victory in the 1972 European Cup Winners' Cup Final 3-2 against Dynamo Moscow.
Jock Wallace
Jock Wallace managed Rangers from 1972 – 1978 and then again from 1983 – 1986, where he won the Treble of winning the League title, Scottish Cup and League Cup in the seasons 1975-76 and 1977-78.
John Greig MBE
John Greig MBE spent his entire professional career with Rangers, from starting off on the pitch as a Defender to becoming Manager in 1978. During his five-year managerial stint, he won the Scottish Cup and League Cup twice. He was also voted 'The Greatest Ever Ranger' in 1999 by the club's supporters.
Graeme Souness
Graeme Souness became a player-manager at Rangers with Walter Smith assisting him at the helm. Within his five years in charge, from 1986- 1991, aside from winning 3 league titles and 4 league cups, he broke down barriers by signing Mo Johnston, the first Roman-Catholic addition to the Rangers team.
Walter Smith OBE
From 1991 – 1998, Walter Smith OBE stepped away from his previous Assistant Manager role and led Rangers to achieve League titles, three Scottish Cups and three League Cups. He then came back to manage Rangers from 2007- 2011, winning eight more major prizes for the club.
Dick Advocaat
Dick Advocaat managed Rangers from 1998 – 2001 and won two League titles, two Scottish Cups and a League Cup. Notably, in his first season at Rangers, he led the team to finish six points above Celtic, who they defeated 1-0 in the Scottish Cup final.
Alex Mcleish
Notably winning the domestic Treble in his second season, Alex McLeish in total achieved two League titles, two Scottish Cups and three League Cups. He was the Manager of Rangers when they clinched the Scottish Premiere on goal difference.
Paul Le Guen
French player and manager Paul Le Guen took over from McLeish in 2006 before leaving in mid-2007 without winning any prizes for the club. At the time, this made him Rangers' shortest serving manager.
Ally McCoist MBE
In May 2011, Ex-player Ally McCoist took to the helm of Rangers and saw them through entering administration in 2012. He described the position as a 'dream job at a nightmare time' and left the position in December 2014.
Mark Warburton
From June 2015 – February 2017, Mark Warburton managed Rangers where he notably came out on top of an Old Firm victory in the Scottish Cup Final where the team won 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 game.
Pedro Caixinha
Pedro Caixinha managed Rangers from March 2017- October that same year. He failed to obtain any prizes before he was dismissed by the club.
Graeme Murty
Graeme Murty was the caretaker manager for Rangers from February – March 2017 before being appointed as the official manager in October that same year. He was in the role until May 2018.
Steven Gerrard
From June 2018 – November 2021, ex-Liverpool player Steven Gerrard managed Rangers gaining the team their first League title since 2011. He then stepped down to manage Aston Villa.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Former player Giovanni van Bronckhorst returned to Ibrox to take over from Steven Gerrard in November 2021. The Dutchman led the Ibrox side to the Europa League final and won the Scottish Cup in his first season in charge. He left late in 2022 after a poor string of results and performances.