Champions League Preview: Rangers - Unirea Urziceni

Kick-Off: Tuesday, October 20, 19:45 BST
Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow

Rangers need to step up a gear

At the weekend, defending champions Rangers reclaimed their place at the top of the Scottish Premier League. Rivals Celtic, still stunted by an apparent inability to score at home, saw another turgid 0-0 affair take second place in the latest ding-dong war between the Glasgow pair.

There is little gloating coming from Ibrox though, nor has there been for some time. The Light Blue legions have witnessed first hand enough of their side this season to know that boasting would be a dangerous game to play just now.

Rangers have not set the heather alight in the SPL, despite being the only side undefeated. That perhaps is a sharp indicator of just how appalling the level of the championship is at the moment, running parallel to their dreams of escaping for foreign lands.

Even victory over Celtic a fortnight ago, though welcome, came with disapproval from manager Walter Smith, who was not endeared by his side being outplayed at home.

While Rangers play the waiting game for an invite to the English Premier League, for now they at least are attending the party all clubs want to be at. A Champions League night against Unirea Urziceni may well be the perfect tonic.

Sevilla taught Rangers a small lesson the last time the Champions League theme tune rang round Ibrox, and Stuttgart are a dangerous side waiting for their date in Glasgow.

If the 'Gers are to win any game in the group stage this year, then at home to the debutants from Romania is likely to be where it comes.

They need to step it up a gear from a lacklustre affair at the weekend against St Johnstone, where only a late goal gave them their points.

They may win this one, but through another dull affair, still leaving the clouds hanging over the blue half of Glasgow.

However, a resounding victory, crushing even, will not only lift the gloom and pour confidence over the coals, but it may well be a catalyst for a league charge that leaves their rivals trailing in the wake.

After all, if Rangers are top now while playing poor, what happens when the season really does get going?

Unirea: fresh but not feeble

It is fair to say that of the 32 teams in the group stage, the Romanians are one of the lesser-known names. They certainly are from the smallest town, just 17,000 residents, smaller than half the capacity of Ibrox.

They are unknown to Europe, but not in their homeland of course, where they are proud champions. 

Admission to matches are free, but only 600 fans turned up for their recent home game with Vaslui. They'll also travel to Scotland without an away support, with the home side instead handing over the away end free of charge to British Army forces.

They certainly are no strangers to Scottish shores though, having spent their last two pre-seasons on the west coast. That included several bounce games this year; beating Ayr United and Morton, drawing with a Celtic XI, and losing 2-1 to Plymouth Argyle.

Jim McAllister, the Morton winger, rejected the offer of a trial period with Urziceni after impressing manager, and former Chelsea idol, Dan Petrescu during a friendly at Cappielow this summer.

What sort of threat do they pose? Well they took a point off Stuttgart in their last game, perhaps putting into perspective Rangers own draw with the Germans, and perhaps signalling they on the same level as their hosts. 

FORM GUIDE

Rangers

St Johnstone 1-2 Rangers
Rangers 2-1 Celtic
Rangers 1-4 Sevilla (Champions League)
Rangers 0-0 Aberdeen
Queen of the South 1-2 Rangers (Scottish League Cup)

Unirea Urziceni

Urinea Urziceni 1-2 Vaslui
Gaz Metan 0-0 Urinea Urziceni
Urinea Urziceni 1-1 Stuttgart (Champions League)
Urinea Urziceni 4-1 Ploiesti
Sevilla 2-0 Urinea Urziceni (Champions League)

TEAM NEWS

Rangers

Pedro Mendes has been passed fit. The Portuguese midfielder missed the visit to St Johnstone at the weekend with a thigh strain, but he came through training today and is available to play.

Manager Smith recalls defender Madjid Bougherra to the squad after accepting his explanation for his late return from World Cup duty. UPDATE: Bougherra in fact misses out with a late knee injury.

Previous starting XI (2-1 v St Johnstone): McGregor, Weir, Papac, Whittaker, Smith, McCulloch, Davis, Thomson, Rothen, Boyd, Lafferty.

Unirea Urziceni

Unirea 'keeper Giedrius Arlauskis has a back problem and is unlikely to play.

Previous starting XI (1-1 v Stuttgart): Arlauskis, Galamaz, Fernandez, Brandan, Maftei, Vilana, Balan, Nicu, Apostol, Varga, Balasco.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Rangers – Kyle Lafferty

Only just back from injury, the Northern Irishman is like a new signing.  Could possibly take up a left-midfield role if Smith opts for his favoured 4-5-1 tactic in Europe, but is equally adept at getting up and down the wing as he is at causing havoc in the box.

Urinea Urziceni – Dacian Varga

Perhaps an easy man to pick out because he was the goalscorer against Stuttgart; however, his performance stood out from the rest in that game. Took his goal well and worked his socks off. Has a wee bit of play acting to his game though that may be evident at Ibrox.

PRECDICTION

You feel it is only a matter of time before Rangers seriously roll someone over and begin their season in style. The conditions could not be more perfect than to do it against Champions League novices Urinea Urziceni. A dangerous game for Rangers, and wily old Walter may still opt for caution, but the 'Gers are going to click soon.

Rangers 3-0 Urinea Urziceni

Andrew Southwick, Goal.com UK