Walter Smith has challenged his Rangers players to prove they are an even better side than the one who gave Stuttgart a run for their money in the Champions League two years ago.
The two teams are set to clash again in this year's group stage opener at the Mercedes Benz Arena on Wednesday night. Rangers clinched a 2-1 win over the Bundesliga outfit at Ibrox back in September 2007, before enduring a narrow 3-2 defeat in the return match in Stuttgart.
"Our team hasn't really changed a great deal since the last time we played Stuttgart two years ago," said the Rangers boss.
"But I would like to think we have improved in certain areas. We had a decent Champions League campaign two years ago and this will be the test for us to see if we have improved to the level that we hope for."
Stuttgart have not enjoyed the best preparation for the visit of the Scottish champions, losing 3-1 to Hamburg at the weekend.
The defeat leaves Markus Babbel's men 11th in the Bundesliga and with just five points from as many games so far this term.
However, Smith refused to read too much into their opponents' domestic results, insisting they will still be a formidable side to overcome.
He said: "Stuttgart had a fantastic end to last season and they went on a great run of form to finish third in the Bundesliga.
"Any team can have a shaky start to a season and they are only five games into their league campaign.
"I don't feel we have started the season that well ourselves, although we have managed not to lose a game."
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ooh the Scottish Champions in Action Tonight! Can Not Wait!
Green with envy from the Tattie Munchers :) Typical!
Glasgow Rangers Champions!
Pt4 where u gettin these 'facts' from?
mrs todd your spouting your bile again-remember that what goes around comes around.
Gonna be a interesting game tonight-if the gers take something from this game i'll be happy.
Morning Ginger, 8-1-1 tonight and Papa Weir out injured
AZTEC - calm doon, pal!! LOL! Fancy your chances tonight? There's one sad muppet on another post that thinks that rangers "save their collective best for Europe"... Does that mean rangers are prepared to throw away the SPL title this season then?
FFFFFFu7....ck yahooooooo
I believe you have shown your true colours Jim - You really are a wee sad nobody. Enjoy that.....
the facts from seville are that the tic had 223 arrests as well as many given spot fines.these are facts not fiction and if u read the facts on rangers many of the arrested had english accents and police question if they really were rangers fans or just casuals looking to cause trouble.also rangers was all blown out of proportion as u look at the west ham millwall riots and invasions how many days was that pressed.2 yes 2 days then swept aside.god u get idiots still publishing about manchester as in scotland it sells where as if in england or abroad they wouldnt b interested.n by the way i dont support any of the auld firm just fed up with all the so called fans still going on as if celtic done no wrong in seville when in fact there was more arrests there than in manchester but just less publicity
Jim you have just added yourself to the long list of retards who sadly contribute to these pages. Why not get your hand off it and perhaps in future take the best policy and keep it to yourself. Have a great day.
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