By Julian Taylor

Gomez was on target at Ibrox but he was not celebrating at full-time

VfB Stuttgart striker Mario Gomez feels their upcoming Champions League clash with Barcelona is now even more vital after an opening defeat to Rangers.

"Now we have to play Barcelona and it will be very difficult for us," he told BBC Sport, as the German champions lost 2-1 at Ibrox in the Group E fixture.

"After losing to Rangers it means we have to work even harder, but I know we will recover from this setback.

"I wasn't surprised with Rangers - they are a good side with excellent spirit."

The German international - who is half-Spanish - also admits it was frustrating to leave Glasgow empty-handed after he opened the scoring to put The Young Wilds in control.

Already Rangers look confident and they play with big hearts for ninety minutes. VfB Stuttgart striker Mario Gomez

Gomez's goal, however, only served to spark a Light Blues revival.

A stunning leveller by Charlie Adam was followed by a penalty by Jean-Claude Darcheville to ensure a winning return to the Champions League arena for boss Walter Smith.

"It was disappointing of course to lose, especially after going in front and I felt that we were the better team for the first hour of the match," added the 2007 German Footballer of the Year.

"I don't know why we stopped playing - we lost our overall rhythm, especially when we knew that the Rangers will always fight for the entire match.

"When they equalised they got a huge lift from their supporters."

And despite Rangers' chances of progress being dismissed beforehand, Gomez was unsurprised with the stiff challenge presented by the Ibrox outfit.

"Already Rangers look confident and they play with big hearts for ninety minutes.

"Playing Barcelona, Lyon and Glasgow Rangers is not straightforward and it will be very competitive all through the rest of the games," the 22-year-old explained.

"I am convinced we still have a chance of qualifying from this group."

Armin Veh's side take on Barcelona at the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion in matchday two on 2 October.