Rangers will avoid terrifying Red Star tunnel walk that Arsenal once endured

But the Scottish champions have already been handed a major boost as they attempt to reach a first European quarter-final in 14 years.

The Gers take a 3-0 lead to the Serbian capital on Thursday for their second-leg tie at one of the most intimidating grounds in European football.

"We have to be mentally and tactically prepared," said boss Van Bronckhorst.

"We know we are going to a place with a hostile atmosphere; this is something we need to cope with with our experienced team.

"We need to enjoy playing in this atmosphere."

But part of that infamous hostile atmosphere has been slightly reduced by the revamp inside the Rajko Mitic Stadium.

When Arsenal were drawn against Red Star in the Europa League in 2017, the players were forced to have their mettle tested to the max.

The stadium known locally as 'The Marakana' once contained a graffiti-covered underpass that away teams had to walk through on their way to the pitch.

Riot cops line the walls to further intimidate opponents while chants from the Red Star support echoing through the tunnels.

Liverpool showed it's affects after they crashed to a 2-0 defeat at the stadium in 2019 but it has since been remodelled ahead of Rangers' arrival.

Now, artistic patterns replace the graffiti just outside the away dressing rooms while the riot cops have disappeared.

But no tunnel changes can do anything to reduce the atmosphere on the pitch, which Rangers will need to cope with to complete a famous European result.