Giovanni van Bronckhorst switches Rangers focus to Scottish Cup success

Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst says his team’s full focus is now on their Scottish Cup quarter final against Dundee – as the club look to end their wait for cup success.

The Ibrox side took a significant step towards the last eight of the Europa League as they beat Red Star 3-0 in their last 16 first leg match on Thursday, and now only a heavy defeat in Belgrade next week would block their progress in the competition.

Before that big night in Serbia, the team travel to Dundee for their domestic cup showdown on Sunday and Van Bronckhorst says that’s uppermost in everyone’s mind.

“We’re one game away from the semi-finals and a cup competition is very important because it is the quickest way to a major prize,” he said. “It’s been a while since we won a cup so we have everything to play for on Sunday.

“We have to park Europe and switch to the domestic cup. We are all preparing well and we have to make sure we are there on Sunday and that we go to the next round.

“We have to rest and recover well because it’s only two days between games but the mindset of the players is fantastic so I don’t have to say anything to them.

“The players who played are in recovery mode and the others have been training. Everyone has their own programme to ensure they are fresh on Sunday.”

The Dutchman believes that his side can take “a lot of positivity” from another positive European result and that can help the team as they go into a series of crucial games.

Looking at the Europa League he didn’t want to think too far ahead but said that every team left in the tournament is capable of winning it.

“We’re at a stage where there are very strong opponents left in the tournament and the final is still far away,” he said.

“The most important thing in Europe is that you have to be there in every tie. One slip-up, one night when you are not quite there, that can cost you your place in the tournament so you just have to take it game by game.

“Playing in Europe takes a lot of energy and a lot of thinking and decision-making as a player. You have to be dynamic. We have a big chance to go to the next round but the most important thing is to reach our level in Belgrade.

“Any team left in this tournament can win it. The team who will win it is the team who plays all the games at a high level and don’t make many mistakes.”