Borussia Dortmund boss Marco Rose has been talking up Rangers fans as Giovanni van Bronckhorst gives his verdict on the Europa League Knockout Round draw – and wonderkid Giovanni Reyna drops his son a text.
The £100m-rated Dortmund midfielder is named after Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst and is the son of former Rangers midfielder Claudio.
That link-up adds another dimension to the tie and it’s a game that Dortmund manager Marco Rose has been talking up ahead of their match with Greuther Furth this week.
Dortmund manager Marco Rose praises “great” Rangers fans
Speaking after the draw, Marco Rose has been talking up Rangers and the club’s fans ahead of what promises to be belter of a Europa League clash.
The two clubs have met each other eight times in their history and Rose hopes that fans of both clubs will be in attendance for the occasion.
“Rangers is a traditional Scottish club with great fans,” said Dortmund boss Marco Rose.
“We hope that fans will be able to attend both stadiums. Our European Cup rounds will be off to a good start in the new year.”
Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst brands Dortmund draw “exciting”
Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has also been discussing the draw as the Gers prepare to face off against St Johnstone this week.
Whilst the Ibrox gaffer acknowledges the complexity of the draw, it’s one that has both himself and everyone at Ibrox salivating.
“It’s a very exiting draw for me, the team and the club,” said van Bronckhorst [Rangers].
“Playing against a top side in Europe, it’s a good forecast for us to play against a quality opponent, for me it’s a nice draw.
“It’s going to be really hard but you want the challenges in life and also in football to compete with the best and we are able to compete with the best now so we have to be on the top of our game.”
Giovanni Reyna drops Rangers text to van Bronckhorst son
Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has also been talking about Giovanni Reyna and his close links to the American wonderkid.
The 19-year-old midfielder is widely-regarded as one of the biggest talents playing in Europe and he got in touch with one of van Bronckhorst’s sons after the draw.
The former Rangers star’s family remain close to the Reyna family and Gio Snr hopes that Claudio can make both matches.
“Gio sent a text to my eldest son, they are almost the same age,” said van Bronckhorst.
“To be drawn against him is a special moment for both of us, I have known Gio his whole life.
“We visited him one and a half years ago, watched one of the Dortmund games.
“I’ve already been in contact with his dad Claudio, of course we are good friends, so hopefully he can come to the games as well.
“A very special moment for both of us, but being the professionals we are we want to be the best for our clubs but for me it’s very special, he is named after me, they don’t come better than that.”
The referee has also been confirmed as top of the table Rangers prepare to welcome St Johnstone, who’re rooted to the foot of the Scottish Premiership.