Smith counsels caution

Rangers v Bursaspor: MATTERS OF form and finance are sufficient to ensure caution is the watchword at Ibrox ahead of Bursaspor's visit tonight.

Rangers’ recent European record hardly makes for pleasant reading, a matter acknowledged by their manager, Walter Smith. The Scottish champions have not won over 90 minutes against a foreign side since April 2008. Their last Champions League victory came in October 2007. Thirteen games, including two qualifying ties, have since come and gone for Rangers in Europe’s premier club competition.

“It’s the same with our own league, the smaller clubs struggle to handle Rangers and Celtic while we maybe struggle to handle the bigger teams in the Champions League,” Smith said. “It is difficult to win at this level. We’ve been close enough to getting that win but there’s no doubt we have to improve. We’re playing to a good level domestically and I hope that gives us a lift for Europe. But this is a hell of a difficult tournament to get a run of wins.”

Bursaspor are newcomers to the competition but captured the Turkish title at the expense of more illustrious names last season. “With the experiences of the last few years I don’t think there’s any way anyone will underestimate Bursaspor,” Smith said. “They’ve spent a lot of money getting their squad together.”

Rangers have been boosted by the likely availability of one of their key squad members. Midfielder Steven Davis, who limped out of Sunday’s win at Aberdeen with a hamstring problem, has recovered swiftly.

The Turkish side will not wear their green-and-white hooped strip, similar to that of Rangers’ Old Firm rivals. “We have three or four different coloured strips and the coach has told me we won’t wear the Celtic-type one,” said Serbian midfielder Ivan Ergic. “That’s a sign that we don’t want to antagonise anyone.”

Tonight, kick-off - 7.45pm
Ibrox Stadium
Live on Setanta Ireland &
Sky Sports 4

Guardian Service