Tuesday 4 July 2017 09:14, UK
Rangers coach Jonatan Johansson believes they will be better off for getting their tense Europa League opener out of the way.
Kenny Miller's first-half strike was all Rangers could muster in the first European match at Ibrox for six years as Progres Niederkorn kept themselves in the tie ahead of Tuesday's second leg.
But Johansson always suspected the occasion would be difficult as Pedro Caixinha handed out debuts to Ryan Jack, Fabio Cardoso, Dalcio, Alfredo Morelos and Daniel Candeias.
And he feels there were plenty of signs that they can finish the job off in Luxembourg, after their 1-0 first-leg win, and advance to the second qualifying round.
Johansson said: "The first game was always going to be a little bit tense, with the crowd and everything else, it was a fantastic occasion at Ibrox.
"For some of the players it was their first time together and their first time at Ibrox, so it was always going to be tense.
"I don't think it's going to be easy away from home, it will be a tough game, we are not underestimating the task in any way. But I also feel very confident.
"It's good to play together and it will definitely have helped the guys for this game."
Many Rangers fans were expecting more goals but Johansson was more realistic.
"We had them watched many times and we knew it was going to be hard," the former Rangers and Charlton striker said. "They are very well organised, they fight hard. It was the biggest game in their history so we knew it was going to be tough. There are no easy games in Europe.
"We played well, especially in the first half. We didn't get the second goal but I am very confident we will go there and play well and score and go through.
"We looked very much a team, very much a unit, after only two or three weeks together with the guys. The manager's ideas were coming through in the game. What we were trying to do is clear."
Rangers travelled without Barrie McKay, who is being linked Nottingham Forest and Cardiff, but Mexican signings Carlos Pena and Eduardo Herrera were in the party after failing to make the squad for the first leg.
