The reaction of the Union players on the pitch last week and the quotes in the press, has that been used by the players as motivation for tomorrow night?
You can use whatever motivation that you need for this game tomorrow. We’ve certainly all seen it and we know it’s there. It’s a touch disrespectful. Listen, we’re ready and you can use whatever motivation for tomorrow night, but we just need to turn up and we will.
In terms of the atmosphere, it’s become a really important factor in recent years, is that something the players talk about among themselves?
Of course, after big nights in Europe we talk about it. It’s not just us that talk about it, the whole country and Europe talks about the atmosphere at Ibrox. We certainly need it tomorrow night. We’re under no illusions that it’ll be a tough night to overcome the 2-0 deficit. There’s no reason we can’t with that fanbase behind us.
After last week’s result and knowing what you need to do to put it right, do the senior leadership group get amongst it and say ‘look we didn’t do this, here’s what we need to do on Tuesday night’?
I wouldn’t say a certain two or three players come together and say what we need to do, that comes from the manager. We certainly know what we need to go out and do tomorrow. A game like tomorrow doesn’t really need much talking about, we know where we went wrong last week. It wasn’t good enough. We feel it just as much as the fans do. We know what is expected of us as Rangers players and we’ll try and put it right tomorrow.
What advice and experience have you been able to give the new players that have come in about your position last year and how you’ve been able to come through that and become a fans’ favourite? What discussions have you had?
Not much, really. We all go through tough patches in our career. I wouldn’t say any of the new players are going through tough patches, we’ve played three games this season. To be writing anyone off now is ludicrous. Nothing needs to be said to experienced professionals. It becomes a problem when you’ve had a bad six months or season, but not after three games. There’s no way on earth you can write a player off because they’ve had a couple of bad games. I don’t think it takes me to tell someone that.
Is it fair to call it a season defining game tomorrow night given the rewards financially and attraction of being in the Champions League?
Our aim is to get into the Champions League, that’s what we’ve wanted for a couple of seasons. Going forward, this whole league campaign is geared towards winning the title and qualifying automatically. It’s a big moment for ourselves, we all want to be playing in the Champions League and so does the whole fanbase. In terms of season defining, it’s completely different to the league campaign. We want to win the league, that’s what Rangers aspires to, but we also want to play in the Champions League.
Will there be a feeling of regret if you don’t turn this tie around given how hard you’ve worked over the last couple of seasons to be in this position?
Of course, it will be a disappointment for everyone. But we’re not at that stage yet, we’ve still got a game to play tomorrow night. We’re not thinking about if we don’t get through, that’s absolutely not on our minds. We’re going into the game tomorrow to win, and to win by more than two goals, so that’s not even on our minds.
You were sent off in last season’s qualifier and, believe it or not, it’s the same referee. How important is it that the players keep their discipline in this type of game?
It’s massive. We’ve done quite well in the matches at Ibrox, where the fans are right behind you and it’s emotional, it’s hard not to get caught up in because we’re all fans at the end of the day. It’s something that we control quite well, apart from myself in that game! Our discipline has been decent so I’m sure it’s something we’ll control.
How big of a boost is it for the squad to have Alfredo Morelos back available? He’s shown in these big games he can be a talismanic player.
He’s a big player for us. He was phenomenal last year and he has been for many years. He’s a big player as are a lot of players in the squad. I’m looking forward to having him back and hopefully he brings some goals along with him.
Do you get the impression from Union that they think the job is already done?
You could say that. But they’re coming to a really tough place and I’m not sure they’ve took that into mind. We’re just raring to go, we can’t wait to get out there and put right where we disappointed ourselves last week.
What’s the confidence like in the dressing room after last week’s defeat. Is there a score to settle, and just how aggrieved are the players by that result?
We’re just more frustrated at ourselves. We know we’re a lot better than what we’ve shown and it’s up to us to show that again tomorrow.
It seemed to be a plan last season to get in the heads of opposition at Ibrox. Did you feel that against Braga and Leipzig last year?
I’m not sure if getting in their heads is the right thing, we just tried to use Ibrox. It’s a phenomenal place to play. We just try to use that to our strength. If the opposition can cope with it, great, but if not then it’s a benefit to us.
You need to score twice tomorrow without leaving yourselves too open at the back. How much do you relish having such an important role to play in such a big game?
It brings out the best in me. I always try and think of myself as a big game player. I try thrive off the adrenaline and pressure. That’s where I’m at my best. I can’t wait and I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.
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