Van Bronckhorst hopes Rangers get help from authorities over fixtures

Giovanni van Bronckhorst is hopeful that talks with the football authorities can see his side’s fixtures moved to help with Rangers’ Europa League challenge.

The Ibrox side beat Braga on Thursday to move into the last four of the competition and set up a semi-final date with RB Leipzig.

The two matches against the Bundesliga side come either side of a Premiership clash with Celtic and in the midst of the title run-in as Rangers try to close a six-point gap on their rivals.

Van Bronckhorst, who pointed out that the run helps all of Scotland’s clubs with the co-efficient rising, thinks his side would benefit from help with the congested schedule and said the question has been asked of those in charge.

“You have more games in the last stage of the season, you know, as you said, a lot of games to be played,” he said. “I think you’ve seen also in other countries where a lot of games are moved, different dates or even kick-off times were changed.

“I think we just want to do the best for Scotland and that’s why we are still involved in Europe and getting a lot of points for everyone really in this country.

“So hopefully the SPFL is also helping us to perform as good as possible in Europe but also make sure we we have time enough to to rest as well for the games we have to play in Scotland.

“Of course, we can have the request and I think that’s what we are doing at the moment but in the end the SPFL has to agree and make sure the fixtures are moved.

“We will do everything we can to do so but the final call is the SPFL’s.

“In other countries, the FAs are moving the dates so the only thing that can happen is they agree and that’s what we are waiting for.”

In the immediate future, Rangers face Celtic at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday, just four days after their dramatic extra-time win over Braga. Van Bronckhorst says the high emotions of progressing in Europe can be just the boost the team needs.

He said: ” We are through to the semi-final of Europe and it was a great night on Thursday and it gives us a lot of positive momentum.

“I think that’s very positive going into the game tomorrow. We don’t have any injury doubts. We have everyone available so we are happy with the squad.

“It was a tough and demanding game physically but we have enough time to recover from that.

“We will have to wait until the final session later but we have everyone on board.”