Sport

Smith prepared for tough test

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP PHASE: GROUP G: Vfb Stuttgart v Rangers: WALTER SMITH has challenged his Rangers players to prove…

Wed Sept 16 2009 - 01:00

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP PHASE: GROUP G: Vfb Stuttgart v Rangers:WALTER SMITH has challenged his Rangers players to prove they are an even better side than the one who gave Stuttgart a run for their money in the Champions League two years ago.

The two teams clash again in a group stage opener at the Mercedes Benz Arena tonight, with the Scottish champions keen to buck the trend following a disappointing European showing from their fellow SPL sides this season.

Smith believes the nucleus of the squad, who then went on to reach the Uefa Cup final that season, remains.

And, with the likes of Madjid Bougherra, Pedro Mendes and Steven Davis added to the ranks since then, he hopes his side are even stronger than the one who gave a good account of themselves in Europe’s premier club competition back then.

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“Our team hasn’t really changed a great deal since the last time we played Stuttgart two years ago,” said the Rangers boss. “But I would like to think we have improved in certain areas. This will be the test for us to see if we have improved to the level that we hope for.”

Stuttgart have not enjoyed the best preparation for the visit of the Scottish champions, losing 3-1 to Hamburg at the weekend.

The defeat leaves Markus Babbel’s men 11th in the Bundesliga and with just five points from as many games so far this term. However, Smith refused to read too much into their opponents’ domestic results, insisting they will still be a formidable side to overcome.

He said: “I don’t feel we have started the season that well ourselves, although we have managed not to lose a game.”

Stuttgart’s star man Alexander Hleb is struggling with a muscle strain picked up at the weekend.

Smith will decide late on his starting XI, with Jerome Rothen – who made his debut in the goalless draw against Motherwell at the weekend – and Kevin Thomson both in contention to start the game. He said: “We have decisions to make on one or two players . . . .

“Rothen had his first game for a few weeks on Saturday which will have stood him in good stead. Kevin Thomson is another one who has not played a lot of matches.”