Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes says the gap between the Old Firm and Europe's top clubs is not as big as some suggest.

Mendes, who joined Rangers from Portsmouth in August, says the Old Firm will enjoy future success in Europe.

"In every country there are two, three, occasionally four top teams," said the 29-year-old Portuguese international.

"Scottish teams, in this case, Rangers and Celtic always need to improve, and just try to do better."

Mendes, who won the Champions League with Porto on 2004, the season after the Portuguese side beat Celtic in the final of the Uefa Cup, believes anything is possible for clubs on the fringes of European football's top competitions.

Even if you're playing against one of the biggest teams in Europe, the chance is always there to get something Pedro Mendes

He was speaking after Celtic crashed out of European competition with Wednesday's 2-1 defeat by Aalborg.

"Scotland is no different. The two biggest teams are Rangers and Celtic and you have three from Spain, maybe four in England," he said.

"They will always be big teams and when they face each other in Europe, there is always the chance to get something out of it.

"When I was at Porto, we were outsiders and we ended up winning.

"Anything can happen in Europe. Even if you are playing against one of the biggest teams in Europe, the chance is always there to get something out of the game."

No Scottish club secured a victory in Europe this season, with Motherwell and Queen of the South crashing out of the Uefa Cup and Rangers failing to qualify for the Champions League, following defeat to FBK Kaunas of Lithuania.

However, Mendes insists the Scottish game is far stronger than many believe.

"In the league, the games are really tough to play - really tight, really intense, aggressive, with pace," said Mendes.

"There are good players in Scotland, young players. I think the future is bright."

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