Abel Ruiz is confident that the Braga players won’t buckle under the Ibrox atmosphere like they did last time.
The Spaniard, whose solo strike gives Braga a slender lead heading into tonight’s second leg at Ibrox believes that the squad can learn from their past mistakes.
Speaking at the Braga press conference at Ibrox, he said:
“We have confidence because we won in Braga and we won at the weekend. We are aware that it will be a tough game. Rangers are a good team with excellent players, but we will start with momentum and believe we can take a good result from this.”
The frontman was involved the last time the two sides met in Glasgow, with Rangers recording a memorable 3-2 comeback win after being 2 goals down, one of which Ruiz scored himself.
“Rangers fans will support the team from the 1st minute so we must have our plan in mind. Some of the players have the experience of being here two seasons ago. Rangers are a team that fights until the end, and we must be like that, but I am confident we can progress.”
Manager Carlos Carvarhal has also confirmed that Braga will start strongly and look to win the match, dismissing suggestions that they will look to hold onto their one goal lead – saying that it is in their ‘DNA’ to win.
“Regardless of the result, Braga always plays to win, we respect Rangers however we will try to win the game from the start. It’s part of our DNA so we aren’t going to change – our main goal is to win the game.”
The Scottish Champions go into tonight’s second leg looking to overcome the 1 goal deficit from Portugal with in-form striker Kemar Roofe expected to be the main attacking threat.
Can Rangers invoke the spirit of 2020 and make another dramatic comeback?
