UCL stalemate: Rangers fitter than PSV, insists Dessers

Glasgow Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers is confident the Gers have all it takes to qualify for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League after Rangers played out a 2-2 draw with PSV at Ibrox in their play-off round first leg on Tuesday.

The Light Blues took the lead twice through Abdallah Sima and Rabbi Matondo but were pegged back by the Dutch side with nothing separating the teams heading into next week’s second leg in The Netherlands.

Speaking to RangersTV after the game, the Nigerian striker believes there were positives to take from the first leg and believes the tie is in the balance ahead of the return fixture.

“We have to take the positives from the game, and I am sure we will. There is everything to play for next week, it is the same scenario as last year so let’s hope we can have the same outcome.

“There was some mixed feelings, it wasn’t an easy game for us, this is a good team. I think overall we played a decent match; we had our moments. When you score two at home against a good team you feel like you deserve more but that is football and there is everything to play for next week.”

The Nigeria international, who had come under scrutiny by Rangers fans, also hailed the Ibrox atmosphere on the night and hopes the team can bring more special evenings to the stadium by qualifying for the group stages in Eindhoven next week.

“I have heard a lot about European nights at Ibrox before I came here, I had the game against Servette that was already really impressive but tonight was special. I was speaking with some of the guys from PSV, some ex-teammates and they said the same they said the atmosphere tonight was unbelievable.

“As a player when you feel this energy in the stadium then you can keep going so I hope we can give our fans more Champions League evenings like this.”