Union Saint-Gilloise are preparing for a very unwelcoming experience at Ibrox and that is what they have to receive on the pitch and in the stands.
USG defender Siebe Van der Heyden spoke of the hell that awaits his team on Tuesday with an expectation of a strong backlash from Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team, supported by a vociferous home crowd with particular demands of their own.
The Belgian side executed their plan to the letter last week in what was a very lacklustre night in Leuven for the Gers. The tactical set-up from the manager simply played into their hands, it was too easy for Union.
Things will be different for the second leg this week at Ibrox, there is no other option but for our players to respond accordingly.
Van der Heyden was reported to have said:
“I’m not scared (of Ibrox). I’m really confident in my team but we know it will be hell for us there.”
“We know there will be 50,000 fans there screaming at us for 90 minutes. We have to concentrate from the beginning. The first 20 minutes especially will be very important for us to stay in our shape and not switch off.”
“I’m someone who looks at our own performance and I think we did very well.”
“We stayed in a block and were just waiting for them and in the right moments we tried to attack in our way.”
Precedent
The role of Ibrox in the run to Seville last season was clearly evident, that backdrop along with a vibrant team on the pitch will hopefully mean that the tie can be turned in Rangers favour but it can’t be taken for granted.
Memories of last Summer and Malmo are still fresh and the team should need no reminder of that. It is all about what happens on the pitch.