Jagiellonia Bialystok manager Adrian Siemieniec insists his side have travelled to Ibrox to win and progress in the Europa League, rather than simply attempt to survive against Rangers.
The Polish side face Rangers in the second leg of their Europa League tie at Ibrox, with the pressure firmly on both teams ahead of Thursday night's decisive encounter, despite the Polish side’s slender 2-1 advantage from last Thursday’s first leg.
Rangers will have the backing of a packed home crowd, with the Ibrox atmosphere expected to play a major role in the contest.
Siemieniec acknowledged the scale of the challenge facing his team and admitted he is aware of the strength of both Rangers and their home support.
However, the Jagiellonia boss rejected the suggestion that his side will simply attempt to defend their position and survive the evening.
“A lot is being said about this match, that Jagiellonia has to survive here,” Siemieniec said.
“I realise the strength of the opponent and the power of those stands, or at least I imagine so. I realise that it will certainly be a strong point for the hosts.”
Despite that respect for Rangers, Siemieniec insists Jagiellonia will remain faithful to the footballing identity that has taken them to this stage of the competition.
‘We didn't come here to survive’
The Jagiellonia manager believes his side's ability to maintain their style could be crucial at Ibrox.
Siemieniec described his team as one that wants to control games through possession, insisting they will not abandon that philosophy because of the occasion or the opposition.
“On the other hand, we have a clearly defined identity,” he said.
“We are a team that has reached this stage because it identifies with this style of play. Of course, we are developing, but our identity is clearly defined.
“We are a team that wants to play with the ball.”
That approach could lead to an intriguing tactical battle against a Rangers side expected to attack from the outset in front of their home support.
Siemieniec knows his players face a difficult test but believes they have every reason to be confident.
“Of course, it's known that a tough match awaits us, but we didn't come here to survive, we came to win and advance further,” he said.
“This is a test, and we're excited to fight for the Europa League against a big brand.”
Jagiellonia refusing to fear Rangers
Siemieniec was equally emphatic when discussing his team's chances of progressing.
The Jagiellonia boss believes the Polish side have earned their place at this stage of the competition and insists they are not travelling to Scotland believing defeat is inevitable.
“We're not doomed to defeat,” he said. “We believe we can pull this off.”
The visitors are also expecting the Ibrox crowd to create a hostile environment, with the atmosphere likely to be one of the defining features of the second leg.
Siemieniec has already heard plenty about what awaits his players inside Rangers' home ground.
“We definitely expect the fans to want to help the team a lot,” he said.
“From what we've heard, there's a hot atmosphere here, and we're expecting that.”
Rather than allowing the occasion to dictate their approach, Siemieniec wants his players to reproduce the qualities they showed in the first meeting between the teams.
“Our game must be based on what it was in Białystok,” he said.
“And thanks to that, we'll be able to win this match.”
Siemieniec believes Jagiellonia's identity can carry them through the pressure of Ibrox, and he has challenged his players to prove it by playing for victory and another step towards the Europa League.
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