Euro Preview – How Do We Approach It?

Rangers last met Stuttgart in the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League

Well, it's that time again when Rangers are preparing to kick off another venture into the exciting world that is the UEFA Champions League. Some would say the draw has been kind to us, but on closer inspection, is that really the case?

Top seeds Sevilla are favourites to win the group - they themselves admitted their delight with the draw. Maybe they're not quite the same team that won the UEFA Cup consecutively in 2006 and 2007, but facing them remains a daunting prospect - especially in Spain where Rangers' record leaves much to be desired. They will look to a familiar face in Frédéric Kanouté and Luís Fabiano, who has been linked with Manchester United recently, to get the goals - and they will pose a particularly notable threat, even more so against a 39-year-old Davie Weir who is not known for his pace. Before the campaign kicks off, most Gers fans would probably be expecting any points away from home as a huge bonus, and be looking for a draw at worst at home.

Stuttgart have become familiar opponents in recent years, visting during the 2003/04 and 2007/2008 campaigns. Both times resulted in home wins and away defeats. While I don't follow German football too closely these days, they will once again be a stubborn opponent. That said however, German teams don't frighten me, and I think that's reflected in Rangers' record against German sides. The style of football is not as oppressive and hard to handle as those styles from say Spain and Italy. I would like to think we can get the 3 points at home again and get at least a point in Stuttgart - an opportunity which we allowed to get away in 2007 in my opinion.

Unirea Urziceni came out the 4th pot in the draw but this shouldn't fool anybody. While we will be expected to get the 3 points at home (note the "expected"), going to Romania will be no easy task and, as I've said to a few people recently, it could well be our most difficult game. We just don't know. On paper we should have more quality. Provided we can go there and feel confident enough about playing our own game there's no reason we can't get maximum points from the two games.

While we'd all like to qualify from the group and face an exciting Last 16 round against another glamour side, the reality is that our long-term prospects are healthier to drop into the new Europa League and hope for a somewhat similar run to that of 2008.

So, how are we going to approach these games? It seems we are destined to see the infamous 4-5-1 from recent seasons being utilised once again - particularly away from home. I would like to think that at Ibrox we will be confident enough, maybe with the exception of the Sevilla game to go with a 4-4-2. You see, I am a big fan of the 4-4-2 for European games. You know that phrase "attack is the best form of defence?" I think that applies here. It's fine crowding the midfield and having a man sitting in front of the defence but I feel it gives our opponents far too much scope to squeeze us further up the pitch. Having the presence of two men up front will exert pressure on their defence, deterring their midfield from being able to pressure the game in our own half.

Let's see a bit of positivity from Rangers and watch the opponent change to combat what we're doing.

In terms of personnel, I'm hoping for good things from a  few of our players. We're strong in the midfield area. It's a shame Mo Edu is still injured - this is the stage where his composure on the ball and passing accuracy could really shine. Pedro Mendes has the experience of winning the Champions League never mind playing in it so we'll be looking to him to pull a few strings in the midfield area. Kevin Thomson is still looking for match fitness it seems and I was interested to see him take part in a bounce game today. There is talk of him playing some part on Wednesday but I'd be a bit nervous of that in such a game at the moment - his combative style of play requires that he's sharp, or we could see a few crude tackles.

Steven Naismith really impressed me for Scotland against Holland last week. He seems to slip under the radar at Ibrox at times, but I think he could become an important player for us this season. He's another one who's had his injury problems recently but looks in good shape at the moment. For a pretty small guy, he's a pest that any defender wouldn't enjoy playing against.

Back to Wednesday's game against Stuttgart, it should be an interesting tie, particularly since we are away in the first game. Although taking at least 6 points from your home games is usually an absolute must if you want to qualify, anything away from home is a bonus and it's also vitally important to start getting points on the board early.

Here's the team I think could do the business:

McGregor

Papac
Weir
Bougherra
Whittaker

Rothen
McCulloch
Mendes
Davis
Naismith

Miller

I'm not convinced this is the team that will start, but I think it gives us a balance. Davis must be used centrally alongside Mendes - it is where he is most industrious and involved, which is what we'll need him to be. Naismith would be able to do a good job on the right with hopefully Rothen's experience coming to good use on the left. I think McCulloch will be used again to break things up and ruffle a few feathers. The defence speaks for itself and it has to be Miller up front on his own. Unfortunately Boyd hasn't shown anything previously to indicated he's an option for that role, and the game just comes that bit too early for Lafferty - or does it?