Walter Smith is confident Rangers have the ability to unlock Panathinaikos and grab a crucial away goal to extend their European adventure.Smith's men missed several chances to put themselves in the driving seat in the first leg at Ibrox when the match finished in a goalless draw.

Rangers have showed an impressive scoring touch away from home in Europe, though, most notably in the win over Lyon in France and the defeat by Stuttgart in Germany during the Champions League group stages.

And Smith insists his players have the belief that they can break the deadlock in Athens and turn the tie in their favour.

"We have scored more goals away from home - three at Lyon, two in Stuttgart. It gives us some confidence," Smith said.

"We know that we can go away from home and score goals. We were disappointed last week. We made some chances but contrived to miss them.

"At 0-0, it leaves a game delicately balanced, especially when away goals come into play."

Following the Ibrox stalemate, where Nacho Novo missed several chances to send Rangers to Greece with an advantage, Smith is toying with the idea of restoring Scotland international Kris Boyd to his European line-up in an effort to breach the Panathinaikos defence.

"He played at the weekend. It's a definite possibility he will start," Smith said.

"I think it will be a similar type of game to the first leg. It's not that much different."

Boyd has not started a European game since July 31, when he lined up against FK Zeta in Rangers' first Champions League qualifier.

The 24-year-old is as prolific a striker as Rangers have, but for European games Smith has preferred to line up in a 4-5-1 formation, with an all-action bustling frontman.

Boyd has not been considered the best man for that role, which has been split between Jean-Claude Darcheville, Daniel Cousin and Lee McCulloch, the man who started against Panathinaikos in last week's first leg of the last-32 tie.

Panathinaikos have not been in action since the Ibrox stalemate as their Greek Super League match at the weekend against Atromitos was postponed due to freakish snowfalls which covered most of the Greek mainland and even some of the islands.

The Greens are expected to make only one change to the team who started the first leg, with Portuguese midfielder Simao set to be replaced by midfield set-piece specialist Andreas Ivanschitz, the man dubbed 'the Austrian Beckham'.

Ivanschitz, whose cultured left foot has already accounted for Aberdeen in the group stage of the competition, seems convinced his side have one foot in the last 16 as he is already mulling over a potential showdown with German club Werder Bremen should the Greeks get past Gers.

"After the 0-0 draw in Scotland the chances of qualifying are more on our side now," said Ivanschitz. "We are convinced that we will reach the next phase, where in all probability we will face Werder Bremen.

"For me as an Austrian it will be a big game to play the Germans and for all the team it would be a big challenge. However, we still have to overcome Rangers first."

The Greeks have a virtually fully-fit squad to choose from with only youngster Sotiris Leontiou and Spanish defender Josu Sarriegi, who missed the game at Ibrox, remaining on the injury list.

They are also set to leave Angolan striker Manucho out of the squad. The 24-year-old has joined on loan from Manchester United but has only just teamed up with Panathinaikos after taking part in the African Nations Cup.

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