Pablo Up For Ibrox Passion Game

Apr 20 2008 By Scott Mcdermott

FIORENTINA hitman Pablo Osvaldo insists his side won't be fazed by a packed Ibrox because they have already proved they can win anywhere.

The Serie A outfit arrive in Glasgow this week for the UEFA Cup semi-final first-leg clash and the Argentinian believes the Italian side can end the tie here.

Osvaldo is in confident mood after Fiorentina comfortably beat PSV 2-0 in their own backyard in the last round. The 22-year-old knows the Viola will be met by a wall of noise at Ibrox on Thursday night but after playing in South America he's adamant it won't affect him or his team-mates.

Pablo said: "We don't fear Rangers. In Europe this season we've demonstrated we can win in any stadium.

"We'll respect them but I don't think they are superior to us. The game has arrived at a good time for us. We're fourth in the league and now looking to make the final of the UEFA Cup.

"That's incredible for this club and in the summer few people would have expected us to be in this position.

"Our dream is to make the final and we go to Glasgow with that aim. A victory with goals at Ibrox would be sensational for us.

"I am not worried by the atmosphere in Glasgow. For anArgentine it will remind me of the big derbies in my own country where the grounds are always full and the fans sing in support of their team."

Osvaldo (right) says Cesare Prandelli's side won't change their attacking philosophy for the first-leg tie but warned his team-mates to beware of Gers at set-pieces.

He said: "The key to the match will be our mentality.We won't play with nerves and we won't change our style of play.

"The coach insists on speed and lots of shooting at goal. It would be magnificent for me to score in Glasgow.

"We have watched Rangers a few times on DVD and it won't be an easy match. They are strong in defence and we need to be wary of their danger at corners and free-kicks.

"We'd like to finish the tie in the first game but in normal circumstances we'll need to wait until we're at home in Italy in front of our own fans."