Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst: Red Star tie is far from over

Giovanni van Bronckhorst was delighted with his side’s performance as they beat Red Star 3-0 at Ibrox but warned that the Europa League last 16 tie is far from over.

Goals from James Tavernier, Alfredo Morelos and Leon Balogun gave Rangers the win and a huge advantage to take into the second leg in a frenetic game that also saw the Serbian champions have three goals disallowed for offside and have a penalty saved by Allan McGregor.

That was enough to have Van Bronckhorst aware that the return match in Belgrade next Thursday will be a stiff test for his players.

“It was a tough and demanding game,” the Rangers boss said. “There was so much happening throughout the whole game but we’re happy with the result.

“We played really well and if you see the game you think maybe more goals were in it, also for them.

“I think we did well, especially the second half. We had to change some tactics at half-time and I think that really worked out well.

“To go to Belgrade next week is going to be hard, maybe harder than today, we have a three-goal difference that we take with us but this tie isn’t over yet.”

The win put Rangers within touching distance of the quarter-finals and having already seen off Borussia Dortmund in the competition, some Rangers fans are starting to believe they could make a run deep in to the competition. Van Bronckhorst wouldn’t look beyond the tie at hand and insisted again that there’s plenty of work to be done to ensure progress.

“We just take it game by game,” he said. “I got many questions about Dortmund but that’s history.

“We’re playing against a new team, a new club and I think they are very strong. They’re here for a reason.

“I’m happy with the result we have but this tie isn’t over yet. We can be happy with the performance but next week we have to be there because the environment they have in Belgrade is similar to what we have here. We have to be ready.

“But we park Europe for the moment and we’re going to work and prepare for Dundee on Sunday and then we’re going to prepare and think about Red Star.

“It gives us confidence when you win 3-0 at home in Europe. There aren’t many goals in this competition so to score three against a quality team like Red Star is a great performance.

“But we’re only half way.”