Even 30 years on I can still feel the ferocity of Red Star’s Marakana says Rangers legend Brian Laudrup
RANGERS legend Brian Laudrup has warned his former side over the atmosphere in Belgrade and admits it put the fear in him.
The former winger was part of the Bayern Munich side that faced the Serbian giants during their historical 1991 cup run.
Red Star went on to win the European Cup after knocking out the German champions in the semi final over two legs.
Laurdup's side were beaten 2-1 in Germany in the first leg before failing to pull it back in the return game and Red Star went through to the final on aggregate.
And he admits the atmosphere at the Marakana stadium in Serbia was terrifying and that he never came across anything like it before.
In his Daily Mail column, he said: "I could feel just a little bit of the colour draining from my face. After walking through the very long, narrow tunnel, I was trying to take in a scene unlike anything I'd witnessed before.
"Welcome to the Marakana in Belgrade. Wow. Even now, more than 30 years on, I can still feel the intensity of the atmosphere when I think about it. Very few places I visited in my career came anywhere close to matching the ferocity of that place. Truly, it was something else.
The former Ger is still confident Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side can overcome the Serbian test if they keep their cool.
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It would be the first time since their 2008 run that Rangers have reached the quarter final of the Europa League.
They have made it to the last 16 of the competition in the last two seasons but going a step further is a hurdle that they need to overcome.
And Laudrup believes Rangers have it in their locker to knock their opponents out and get off to a strong start at Ibrox on Thursday.
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He said: "My old club has a chance to establish a lead at Ibrox on Thursday night before going to the Marakana next week for the return leg of this Europa League last-16 tie.
"It's going to be another huge test, but I actually think Rangers have built the know how to handle the situation. They can deliver the club's first continental quarter-final in 14 years by sticking to the qualities that have got them this far.
"These players have been to big away venues such as Feyenoord, Benfica and Porto in recent years. Not quite as volatile as Belgrade, maybe, but still big tests.
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"And while there were only 10,000 people in Dortmund last month, that was as good an away result as a Scottish club has had for many, many years.
"Rangers have shown they are capable. They have the nous. And I don't think there will be any panic if it's still tight after Thursday night.
"Remember, of course, that Red Star have to handle the heat at Ibrox. This isn't all one-way. If Rangers can find the excellent levels they showed for three quarters of the Dortmund tie, their Europa League adventure can continue in the last eight. What a fine achievement that would be."
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