Giovanni van Bronckhorst warns Rangers they can't just defend against Napoli

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has warned that his side would be inviting defeat if they are too defensive against Napoli, and wants his players to show their character.

The Ibrox boss has seen his side lose all four of their Champions League group stage games so far, and are now in Italy to face the leaders of Serie A and a team that comfortably won 3-0 in Glasgow last month.

Napoli’s current run of form has seen them win 11 consecutive games and they are heavy favourites to pick up three points on Wednesday night. Van Bronckhorst believes that it would be a mistake for Rangers to just concentrate on shutting out their high-flying opponents.

“The game management is very important,” he said. “We are facing a team who attacks really fast and well with quality players all over the pitch so in these environments you have to be defensively solid but find the moments in transition or build-up to attack well.

“If you come here and only defend for 90 minutes it’s waiting for the damage to be done.

“We have to take our moments to be dangerous as well. You have to start well to stay in the game so you can push to get a positive result in the second half.”

The Rangers boss believes that the mental approach will be key to a good performance and when asked if the game will be a test of character for his team, he said that they had to play without fear.

“The character of players you always need to have that, especially after we had a draw at the weekend and also the last games in the Champions League,” he said.

“All that matters is the result though. The character is very important. If that’s there you have a chance to get a positive result.

“Napoli will come at us but we have to be go out there and don’t be fearful. Just go out and reach the level we can reach and see at the end of the game if we have a positive result or not.”

Van Bronckhorst revealed that Glenn Kamara has been ruled out but that Rabbi Matondo is fit to start in Naples. Leon King has recovered from illness but there will be changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Livingston.