Albertz has fond memories of Rangers boss Walter Smith

Former Rangers star Jorg Albertz is backing the Glasgow side for Uefa Cup final success next week.

Albertz played under Walter Smith and Dick Advoccat at Ibrox and his old managers go head-to-head when Rangers meet Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester.

"I think Rangers can go all the way, the German midfielder told BBC Sport.

"They have been waiting a long time for a big result in Europe and they've done so well. The team needs to work their socks off and be there for the jersey."

Albertz joined Rangers from Hamburg for a �4m fee in 1996 and spent five successful seasons in Scotland before returning to his homeland.

Now 38, he came out of retirement in March to help out former Ibrox team-mate John Brown, who is the manager at Clyde.

"I've been playing football for 18 years and my five years at Ibrox were the best," he added.

Smith, of course, is back at the Ibrox helm for a second time and Albertz has been impressed by his former manager's return.

"Since Walter came back with Ally McCoist they must take a lot of credit," he said.

"The job they are doing is just amazing. I can't remember a team ever going for four trophies.

"Compared to my days, they don't have players like Brian Laudrup or Paul Gascoigne, who had genius.

"But they have Barry Ferguson, who is a great leader, and they are a good, hard-working team.

"Everybody is pulling for each other and it's down to Walter to keep them going as a unit.

If Rangers can keep on winning, nobody will be talking about tactics at the end of the season Jorg Albertz

"It was Walter who brought me over to Ibrox and looked after me. He was like a father-figure and he was a friend.

"He is a guy you like to play football for.

"There was no question. If the gaffer asked for something, you did it. There was a lot of discipline but you could have a lot of fun as well."

Rangers' only previous success in Europe came 36 years ago, when Moscow Dynamo were beaten in the final of the Cup Winners' Cup.

"Rangers getting to the final is great for Scottish football and I don't think any team in Europe will be happy to be drawn against Celtic or Rangers.

"They will know they it's never going to be an easy game in Scotland and they have to deal with fantastic support home and away."

Some of Rangers' beaten opponents have been far from complimentary about the defensive tactics adopted by Smith.

However, Albertz insists that his old club are right to play to their strengths.

"Yes, everyone wants to sit down and watch a nice game of football but if you remember Greece winning the European Championship in 2004 - it wasn't with a nice game.

"But they won it and that's what counts. They were European champions.

"It's all down to results. If Rangers can keep on winning, nobody will be talking about tactics at the end of the season."