Ex-Rangers captain Paterson insists his former team can triumph in Romania
By Keir Murray
As Rangers prepare to take on the Romanian champions Unirea Urziceni in Bucharest on Wednesday, their former captain Craig Paterson believes a clinical, determined performance can see them return with three vital points.
Walter Smith's side produced an abject Champions League display at Ibrox two weeks ago and were hammered 4-1 by an impressive Urziceni side managed by former Chelsea star Dan Petrescu.
Before that sobering defeat, the Scottish champions had coped with Sevilla at Ibrox for an hour before the Spaniards stepped up a gear to deliver a lesson in finishing - the result, 4-1 to the visitors.
Despite these heavy home defeats and Rangers sitting with just a point from an away draw with Stuttgart, the Scots are not yet out of contention to clinch second spot in Group G.
Sevilla have amassed nine points from their three ties, Urziceni are on four and the Germans have gained just two points from draws against Rangers and Petrescu's outfit.
"There is so much still to play for," reckons Paterson, who admits to having never heard of Rangers' opponents prior to this season.
"In terms of the group, it's a colossal game. So much rests on this result.
"This and the next game against Stuttgart will determine whether or not Rangers will still be in Europe after the group stage, with third place earning a place in the Europa League.
"A defeat on Wednesday would be an almost fatal blow, but this is definitely a game Rangers can win."
Rangers must hope that, with such a lot at stake for the hosts, the nerves get the better of the Romanians
BBC Scotland football pundit Craig Paterson
The stunning victory for Urziceni at Ibrox was the Romanian side's first victory in European competition.
Smith described the loss as one of the lowest points of his career and he will be desperate to restore his team's reputation.
With the desire for revenge and the match being moved from Urziceni's tiny home ground to Steaua Bucharest's, Paterson sees grounds for optimism.
"Unirea will have entered the Champions League with nothing to lose. Now, suddenly, they'll be thinking 'hang on, if we can beat Rangers again we will be within touching distance of reaching the knock-out stages'," said Paterson, who will be in Bucharest to cover the match for BBC Scotland.
"Rangers must hope that, with such a lot at stake for the hosts, the nerves get the better of the Romanians and it has an adverse effect on their performance.
"Over the piece, Rangers' away form has been excellent in recent times.
"They will need the kind of performance that they produced to beat Sporting Lisbon in Portugal on their way to the Uefa Cup final in 2008 if they are to return with three points.
"If they can do that they will find it a lot easier to shift tickets at £40 a go when Stuttgart come calling at Ibrox. Every player will know how important the Champions League money is to the club."
A delighted Petrescu commented on how surprised he was that Rangers had played with just one up front in the first match between the sides.
And Paterson does not see that formation being repeated this week.
He said: "In recent seasons there hasn't been the same need to win the away games; mostly a draw has been enough.
"But Rangers need the three points or they can forget about going through to the last 16.
"For that reason I think Smith will go with Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd up front.
"Their best performance last season was at Tannadice on the final day of the season. Smith played the pair then as they went all out for a win.
"I think he will do the same again on Wednesday."
The Light Blues will have to contend with the loss of injured duo Pedro Mendes and Madjid Bougherra, players who Paterson believes would have been been the first two on the team-sheet for the match.
"It's far from ideal, those two missing," said the former Hibs and Rangers centre-half.
"Smith has been forced to draft in young Danny Wilson in defence and he has acquitted himself very well indeed.
"It looks like he has an old head on young shoulders. I am sure he will be able to handle the pressure."
Rangers have been feeling pressure on and off the park in recent weeks.
An away win in the Champions League would be the perfect release.
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