Danny Rohl is looking for Rangers to silence the huge Celtic support in their Scottish Cup quarter-final tie on Sunday with a repeat of last weekend’s first-half display against the Hoops.
There were just over 2,000 away supporters inside Ibrox last Sunday for the Premiership clash and they had little to cheer about as the lively Light Blues raced into a 2-0 interval lead through a stunning Youssef Chermiti double.
However, it was the home fans who suffered in the second half as they watched Martin O’Neill’s side fight back for a deserved 2-2 draw with a last-gasp Reo Hatate goal.
To comply with the rules of the Cup, Rangers have handed the whole of the Broomloan Stand to Celtic on Sunday, which means around 7,500 fans will roar on the Hoops at Ibrox for the first time since 2018.
Rohl, who revealed he has a full complement of players training, said: ‘Of course it will have an impact. If we play 50 minutes like we did then the 7,500 will also be quiet.
‘We can influence, we can make the impact on our performance on the pitch.
Rangers manager Danny Rohl is looking for an electric atmosphere at Ibrox on Sunday
‘The atmosphere was incredible at 50 minutes, really incredible. It was amazing to feel this. We pushed our players forward, forward.
‘Then it comes to 2-1 and you feel it in the stadium as well. But this is also part of the game.
‘Maybe we can do it together and we come through these small minutes where you feel the opponent comes better into the game.
‘But the 50 minutes was really, really outstanding. I really enjoyed being on the touchline in such a game.’
Despite the second-half collapse against Celtic, Rohl insists Rangers will go into the game with confidence following a positive debrief.
The former Sheffield Wednesday boss said: ‘We spoke about the good things, we spoke about the things we have to improve.
‘The last training session was good, especially yesterday. Good intensity, good mindset, very focused.
‘Today we work on some details again and then we have one more session and then we go with the belief, we go with the trust. I think this is very crucial, especially the 50 minutes.
‘You know better than me. I don’t know when was the last time Rangers dominated Celtic like this in the first 50 minutes.
‘I think this is the focus where we are and what we want to do over 90 minutes, of course, or 95 and if it’s necessary over 120 minutes. I think this is crucial.
‘We are still in a (title) race. Of course, we are disappointed after this late equaliser. We know that we have to improve, especially in the second half, but we know as well we had a big chance for 3-0 and we would not speak about this today.
‘But football is football. It’s about decision-making, it’s about focus, what we can influence.
‘I see a group who is really ready to go again and also the belief that we can beat them.’
