Braga head coach Carlos Vicens insists his side will not be overawed by the demands of Ibrox tonight, as the Portuguese club look to take another major step toward UEFA Europa League qualification and deepen Rangers troubles in the competition.
Speaking ahead of the match, Vicens made it clear that his team fully understands both the scale of the challenge and the opportunity in front of them.
“We know Ibrox is a special stadium and Rangers are a team that grows with the atmosphere,” he said.
“We need to be calm and stick to our plan.”
Braga arrive in Glasgow buoyed by their recent form and their eye-catching win at Celtic Park last month over Rangers Old Firm rivals.
But Vicens was quick to shut down any suggestion that the Parkhead victory provides a blueprint for tonight.
“Winning in Scotland gives confidence, but Rangers are a different team with different strengths,” he cautioned.
“Nothing from that game will guarantee anything tomorrow.”
The 42-year-old has been impressed by Rangers tactical evolution under Danny Röhl, highlighting a side playing with more organisation, aggression and clarity than the version Braga had faced in previous years.
“Rangers are more aggressive now, more structured in their pressing,” Vicens observed.
“We expect a high-tempo match where details will matter.”
Despite acknowledging Rangers tactical improvement, Vicens made it clear that Braga will not arrive in Glasgow to sit deep or simply survive the occasion.
“We will not come here to defend for 90 minutes,” he said.
“We want the ball, we want to attack, and we want to control the game when possible.”
This echoes the plan of the German Head Coach in the opposing dugout who said Rangers would be “on the front foot, confident” and try to bring “the ground behind” them instead of being passive and defensive.
It was a pointed message: Braga are not coming to Ibrox to admire the atmosphere - they are coming to impose themselves.
Vicens also acknowledged the stakes, with both sides needing a result for different reasons. Braga can tighten their grip on the group; Rangers are fighting to keep their season alive.
“This is an important game for both teams,” he said.
“We respect Rangers, but we came here to take a big step in the group.”
For Vicens, the formula is simple: composure, clarity, and courage. For Rangers, his words are a reminder that Braga are not simply confident - they are intentional.