Danny Röhl will lead Rangers into another critical European night at Ibrox insisting his players must show boldness and precision if they are to revive their Europa League campaign against Braga tonight.
The Portuguese side arrive in Glasgow with confidence and more points than Rangers - a reality the manager didn’t shy away from.
“Braga are well organised, aggressive, and they have solutions with the ball,” Röhl said.
“They will come with confidence. But this is a new challenge for us.
“We know we need points in this competition.”
After back-to-back European performances that fell short of his standards, Röhl wants a clear step forward.
“Every mistake at this level can be a big mistake,” he warned.
“I want us on the front foot, confident, bringing the ground behind us instead of being passive.”
The Ibrox crowd has felt subdued at times this season amid wider unrest, but Röhl believes a proactive performance can transform the atmosphere – particularly now the deeply unpopular duo of Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell have been dismissed allowing the fans to focus fully on the park.
“If we play on the front foot, the supporters will be straight there,” he said.
“It’s our responsibility to bring the stadium on fire.”
Rotation will again be necessary during a brutal run of fixtures every three days, and Röhl emphasised that players are now fighting not just for minutes, but for long-term futures.
“Every game is an opportunity,” he reiterated.
“You can’t ask for opportunities and then never use them.”
The January window looms large, and while Röhl will be involved in shaping the squad with the absence of a Sporting Director for the near future, his immediate focus is on elevating the levels of those already in the dressing room.
“My first job is to increase the potential of the players here,” he stressed.
“Some exciting signings from the summer are not at their highest level and we must bring them back.”
Injuries continue to shape selection. Derek Cornelius has undergone surgery and will be out until at least the end of January with Dujon Sterling added into the squad as his replacement.
John Souttar remains sidelined, while Mikey Moore is progressing but still weeks away while Joe Rothwell is managing a knee issue but could be available.
“It should be a similar squad,” Röhl confirmed.
Braga’s visit marks more than another European fixture; it represents another checkpoint in Röhl’s attempt to shape Rangers in his own image - aggressive, energetic, fearless.
Tomorrow night, he needs proof that the message is landing continentally just as it has been domestically.