‘Always conquer’: Wesley Sneijder on what impressed him about Rangers

Follow us on Google Discover

Wesley Sneijder believes PSV Eindhoven struggled to deal with the ‘violence’ and tenacity of Rangers during the 2-2 Champions League play-off draw at Ibrox, speaking to Dutch publication RTL. 

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side might not have added one of the Eredivisie’s giants to their impressive array of European scalps, but heading into the return leg in Eindhoven needing only a 1-0 win to progress to the UCL group-stages for the first time in a decade is a situation many would have taken prior to kick off. 

PSV, after all, are no Union Saint-Gilloise. They are a team brimming with talent; A German international, a £34 million midfield enforcer and one of the most coveted young forwards in the game, plus returning hero Luuk de Jong. 

But it’s a testament to Rangers, stepping on the gas again while fired on by a typically vociferous home support, that one-time target Joey Veerman and the much-admired Ibrahim Sangare struggled to exert their usual influence in a game as balanced as the eventual scoreline. 

Rangers draw 2-2 with PSV Eindhoven at Ibrox

“PSV (found it) very difficult,” says Dutch legend Sneijder. “They’re impatient in possession and all move towards the ball, so that Rangers can defend in very small spaces. 

“They do that with a lot of violence. They are much fiercer (than PSV) and always conquer the ball in midfield.”

Conceding twice from set-pieces – last season’s Achilles heel returning again – will be the main frustration for Van Bronckhorst after that four-goal thriller in Glasgow. Armando Obispo cancelled out Tom Lawrence’s speculative free-kick heading into the final ten minutes, after Sangare had given PSV a first-half lead. 

The Gers boss also has a decision to make ahead of next week’s second leg. Does he keep the faith in Antonio Colak; Showcasing his ice-cool finishing again with a fourth goal in four goals. Or parachute Rangers’ all-time top European goalscorer back into the starting XI?

Colak is arguably the best finisher in the squad, but he lacks Alfredo Morelos’ rambunctiousness out of possession. If there is one thing Rangers really needed as PSV turned the screw, was an outlet. Morelos is certainly that.