Advocaat is relishing the prospect of facing Rangers

Zenit St Petersburg boss Dick Advocaat says sentiment will not cloud his judgement against former club Rangers in next Wednesday's Uefa Cup Final.

The Dutchman spoke to BBC Scotland in Glasgow before watching the Ibrox side play Motherwell in the SPL.

"If we win then I'm happy and Rangers will be unhappy. And if Rangers win then they will be happy," he said.

"If you are so close then you have to try to win. The final could go either way - it's 50-50."

Advocaat took over at Rangers in 1998, succeeding Walter Smith as manager.

He left the club in 2002 and his time at Ibrox left a lasting impression on him and he admitted he still keeps in touch with events at the Glasgow club.

"The first thing I do on Saturday afternoons is check what the Rangers score is," he said.

"I still have contact with Mr Murray during the week, so in that way the club will always be there. No matter where you go in the world, you see Rangers fans. "

And he defended his former side - who have been criticised for their defensive style of play over the course of this season - and said the Uefa Cup final in Manchester is too close to call.

"In football, it's all about results," he said. "It doesn't matter how you get the result and you shouldn't bother what other people are saying. It's not important at all.

"I think the game can go all the way. It's 50-50."

Advocaat, 60, also said he was surprised that Barry Ferguson was still a Rangers player.

"He's a key player, not only for Rangers, but also for Scotland," said the Zenit coach.

"I'm surprised that he's still playing for this club because with his quality he can play all over the world."

But he said Ferguson was not a potential summer-time signing target for Zenit.

"I think he took his decision to come back to Rangers from England - it was a great move for Mr Murray to bring him back," added Advocaat.

"I think he will finish his career at this club."