Rangers not fazed over finances

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Rangers chairman John McClelland has insisted that failure to reach the Champions League would not be a financial disaster for the club.

With debts estimated being in excess of £60million, Rangers could certainly do with the money from the lucrative group stages of Europe's flagship club competition.

Up to £10million could soon be theirs - but only if they overcome Danish champions FC Copenhagen tonight. The qualifying round tie is very much in the balance following a 1-1 first leg draw at Ibrox.

He said: "Clearly it is important but we haven't budgeted for a long stay in the Champions League or even the Champions League itself.

"From a budgeting point of view, we don't budget for these things. From the standpoint of adding additional funds to Rangers' financial profile then yes, it would be nice to have it."

Captain Barry Ferguson is set to play despite being at the centre of a bidding war between English Premiership clubs following the player declaring that he wants to move to England.

Craig Moore, who will take the armband once Ferguson goes, will also play if he comes through a fitness test and Ronald de Boer is also expected to make a return after recovering from an Achilles problem.

McClelland added: "This is a big one, yes, but it is half-time and we can put a lot of pressure on Copenhagen out there so it is not over yet and we will see what happens tomorrow."

But the chairman declined to shed any more light on the Ferguson saga other than to confirm he was looking forward to seeing the skipper in action for one last time.

He said: "I don't want to comment on Barry at this stage. We just want to concentrate on the game and let Barry play the kind of match he played on Saturday. That would be ideal for us."

Celtic are expected to book their place in the group stages of the Champions League tonight when MTK Hungaria come to Parkhead on the back of a 4-0 home defeat.

The Hoops were criticised after their below-par performance against Kaunas in the last round - but manager Martin O'Neill has urged his stars to put on a good show for the supporters.

"I want us to win and play as well as we possibly can," said O'Neill.

"There's lots at stake and it is a big big game for us. Four-nil is a very handsome lead and is one I wouldn't want whittled away.

"I wouldn't want to be presumptuous. I'm looking forward to the game tomorrow night.

"I'm a bit apprehensive about it, but if we approach it in the proper manner then we won't ruin it."

Former Germany international Lothar Matthaus said last night that his Partizan Belgrade side could still dump Newcastle out of the Champions League but admitted going to St James' Park tonight will be like stepping into "a volcano".

Newcastle's 1-0 win in Serbia two weeks ago has made them firm favourites to go through to the group stage, but Matthaus said: "I see our chances as much bigger than the actual result from two weeks ago would indicate."

Matthaus added: "There's space for our quick attacks. I strongly believe it. More than that, I believe in a miracle and see my team in the next round instead of Newcastle."

A packed St James', with 52,000 inside, "should also motivate my players. If that kind of sight isn't a motivation for my players, then there's nothing more I can do."

Craig Bellamy, again missing from Bobby Robson's side, yesterday visited a London specialist over his injured knee after a scan revealed inflammation, which could also keep him out of Saturday's home Premiership game with Birmingham. The Welsh striker is joined by Lee Bowyer on the sidelines, the midfielder serving the second game of his six-match European ban.

However, another midfielder, Nolberto Solano, is back in the squad, along with the forward Darren Ambrose, who has shaken off a shin-splints problem.