Van Bronckhorst: Rangers can't sit back against Borussia Dortmund

Giovanni van Bronckhorst believes Rangers can finish the job and knock Borussia Dortmund out of the Europa League – but says the side can’t take a defensive approach to the game.

A stunning performance in Germany last week saw Rangers win 4-2 to hold a healthy advantage ahead of the decisive leg at Ibrox on Thursday, and the Scottish champions enjoyed plenty of success when getting at the Dortmund defence.

Van Bronckhorst is plotting to cause the Bundesliga side more problems and says he’ll be sending out his side to win the match in front of a full house and go further into the competition.

“Well I believe that we can pass this round, which is the most important thing,” the Dutchman said.

“We had a good performance last week. We’re all happy with the game we played and we also know it’s only halfway.

“Tomorrow we’re going to face a very good team again, a very strong team in Europe. We have to be ready to overcome them.

“We’re in a good position for the second game but I think our focus tomorrow will be to play as strong as possible and try to win the game, and I think that’s our intention.”

Now both sides have experience of playing each other, Van Bronckhorst says there are “no secrets” about how they play. Though his side have a two-goal advantage to defend, and the away goal rule has now been scrapped, the manager says that sitting on a lead is a dangerous approach.

“I don’t know if we surprised them, that’s a question for them, but I think we played really well and to our strengths,” he said. “In moments we pressed them high and I think they have a better view on how strong we are as a team.

“Myself, I also have a better view on their way of playing so I don’t think we have any secrets any more.

“It’s going to be a very exciting game and a game that you want to play in, want to coach.

“Sitting deep, sometimes you get in positions in games and moments when you have to, but I think what we did right last week was to try and press them a little bit higher, try to win the ball and be dangerous.

“But to begin the game and sit deep, I don’t think that’s in our system and we have to avoid that.”

Rangers will be without January signing Aaron Ramsey, who is injured, but Leon Balogun is fit to start.