Rangers captain James Tavernier has urged his Ibrox teammates to use the “feeling” of losing their 40-game unbeaten run in the league to fire themselves into the Champions League playoff when they face Malmo on Tuesday night.
The Gers slipped to a shocked 1-0 loss at Tannadice against Dundee United thanks to Jamie Robson’s goal and Tavernier want to channel that into downing the Swedes and setting up a clash with Olympiacos or Ludogorets.
Rangers trail 2-1 on aggregate following the first leg in Sweden but with the prospect of a packed Ibrox on Tuesday night, Tavernier is well aware of just how massive a game it is.
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“We’ve got to use this feeling and rest up, then we’ve got a massive game on Tuesday that we will be fully focused on now,” Tavernier said [Scottish Sun].
“Especially after a result like this, you always want a game as quickly as possible so we have got to channel this result in the right way and come out firing from the first whistle on Tuesday night.
“It is a massive game for the boys, the club and the fans so we need to really be at it from the get-go.”
With Ibrox set to be packed on Tuesday night, there will be an added pressure on the Rangers stars to perform.
Two disappointing performances back-to-back has left some supporters worried about Tuesday’s Champions League qualifier – although Rangers should have enough about them to get through.
If they don’t make it through to the Champions League playoff, there will be no place for them to hide with 50000 Rangers fans inside Ibrox for the first time in 18 months.
In other news, Report: West Ham’s fall-back option if they are unable to sign ‘extraordinary’ player