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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Liam Bryce

Gio van Bronckhorst in Rangers and Celtic Champions League claim as he gives short shrift to fevered fan debate


Giovanni van Bronckhorst insists Rangers and Celtic's achievements this season should be allowed to stand alone.

The Ibrox boss refused to pit his team's run in Europe against their rivals reclaiming the Premiership title as he congratulated Ange Postecoglou's champions.

Rangers are on the brink of history as they prepare to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League Final on May 18.

Typically, debate has raged between rival fans over who's had the better season to date.

But the Dutchman is adamant that winning in Seville just to "overshadow" Celtic's title success is not a motivating factor at Ibrox.

He told talkSPORT : "It was a great challenge this year for the league title but in the end we came up short. That's football.

"We give credit to Celtic and to Ange because he's done a tremendous job for his first season.

"But I don't think we have to win the Europa League just to overshadow Celtic's achievement. They have a great achievement in the league and we're going to push hard for our club to be successful in Europe.

"That's the only thing we have to focus on, giving success to our clubs."

Should Rangers defeat Eintracht, Scotland will have two teams in the Champions League group stage for the first time since the 2007/2008 campaign.

And Van Bronckhorst reckons it's a thrilling prospect for the game.

He added: "It would be fantastic. With Barcelona I played Champions League football against Celtic.

"For both teams to be in Europe with the elite, that's what you want. It's not easy to play in Europe against the best teams.

"We've seen this season, to reach a final against opponents who play in the big leagues in Europe, it's quite impossible. We've done it and I'm very happy with it.

"The prospect of having two teams in the Champions League next year will be amazing for Scottish football."

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