The Canadian is focused on Genk rather than angry fans but admits Marseille ultras mean he is well prepared

Derek Cornelius admits he’s stepped into a world of chaos at Ibrox.

But the new Rangers recruit reckons he’ll be able to take it all in his stride having survived the Marseille madhouse.

The big Canada international has swapped the South of France for Glasgow’s Southside after joining on a year long-loan.

The Velodrome support – most notably the infamous Commando Ultra 84 gang – are notorious for their extreme behaviour on the terraces.

Cornelius saw plenty examples of that during his first campaign with the Ligue 1 giants last year.

And that’s why he’s not been ruffled by the sight of 1500 fans protesting against boss Russell Martin and chief exec Patrick Stewart ahead of his first start for the club on Saturday.

“You know, it’s something that I try not to put too much focus on,” he said ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash with Genk.

“With clubs like Rangers, there’s an expectation to win and the way I view it is that extra pressure that we’re getting from outside and the chaos that I’m stepping into, it’s a privilege.

“I view it as a challenge to come here and try and help the situation.

“I don’t think it impacted me negatively and I try to look at the positives in the situation.

“Playing for Marseille has definitely helped.

“Ultimately, clubs like Marseille, like Rangers, they have fanbases that live and die for the club. And when you wear that badge and you represent clubs like that, you have a responsibility to really show on the pitch for them.

“So, yeah, playing in Marseille last season gave me a little bit of experience of just what I’m getting into coming to Rangers.

“But ultimately, if you put too much focus on that as well, it’s not going to help your performance.

“So I try and just go one day at a time, be the best I can be and just help whichever club I’m on to win games, because I know that’s going to be the solution to any problems.

“I think our fan base can be our biggest strength but also one of our biggest obstacles to overcome, you know. When they get behind us, I think it can be definitely a 12th man on the pitch.

“But ultimately, that comes down to us. They’re going to feed off our performance, they’re going to feed off what we’re delivering on the pitch. So I think tomorrow is no different.

“If we go out there and we show that we’re a team ready to push, then they’re going to get behind us and ultimately be the difference in the match.”

Cornelius made full use of the experience built up over the course of his 37 Canada caps while strolling through his full debut as he helped Gers ease past Hibs into the last four of the Premier Sports Cup.

But while he has experienced it all in international football, he’s looking forward to making his bow in Uefa competition tonight against the Belgian strugglers.

“This it’s my first European match, so it’s always something to look forward to,” he said. “I hope it’s going to be a memorable one.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about European games at Rangers, so I’m just looking forward to get going.

“Nights like these are one of the reasons why Rangers is a club that’s described as special, you know.

“There’s a lot of history behind the club and it’s in games like these where those memories are made, so as I said, I’m just looking forward to it and trying to keep the focus tomorrow.”

Cornelius will soon be coming up against Canada team-mate Alistair Johnston in next month’s Hampden semi.

But he revealed it was the Celtic defender who helped persuade him to make the move to Scotland.

He said: “We spoke a little bit before I signed here.

“I know that the rivalry here is very intense but he told me a lot of good things about the city, a lot of good things about living in Glasgow and so on.

“I’m just happy to be here and hoping that we get the upper hand when we play.”