Van Bronckhorst: Rangers need positive result against Liverpool

Giovanni van Bronckhorst admits Rangers need a positive result against Liverpool in their Champions League clash at Ibrox if they are to have a chance of playing European football after the turn of the year.

The Light Blues meekly lost 2-0 at Anfield last Tuesday night and sit bottom of Group A with no points and no goals after three fixtures.

After the visit of the Reds on Wednesday night, Rangers travel to group leaders Napoli, who have won all three matches and are three points ahead of the English giants, before finishing the campaign at home to Ajax.

With Europa League football the only realistic possibility left as third-place finishers, Gers boss Van Bronckhorst, whose only new injury doubt is midfielder Glen Kamara, knows the Govan side are in the last chance saloon.

He said: “The squad is looking good. We have no new injuries.

“The only one who is a little doubt is (Glen) Kamara. But all the other ones are good to go.”

The Dutchman knows his side will face against a tough test against last season’s finalists, but he is admanat that recent performances give them hopes of a result.

He continued: “We all know Liverpool really well because of all the games they play in the Champions League and Premier League.

“We are playing against a strong side. We have to find more moments in the game when we can be dangerous.

“Of course our approach will be different tomorrow because we need points to hopefully play after the break in Europe.

“But, we are still going to be up against a very good side.

“We want to be able to proceed in Europe when we play our last game at home against Ajax. Hopefully we are in a situation where, with a good result, we can continue in Europe.

“That means also we have to get points out of the next two games because Ajax are already on three points.

“We need to get points. Ideally three points and we have to see the other results.”

Van Bronckhorts says their performance against runaway group leaders Napoli in their last game at Ibrox, as well as last season’s run to the Europa League final, shows they are able to compete at Champions League level.

He said: “I think, especially at home, we have had some strong performances, not only last season, but also this season.

“The game we played against Napoli was a, was a really good one against a really strong opponent.

“I think we were really in the game until the penalties and, and the red card.

“But I think that game also gave us confidence to, you know, get something out of our home games.

“And tomorrow for us is another chance to get points.”