Source: Team_Talk
Ally: Europa League alright by me
Ally McCoist has promised his Rangers side will be taking the task of booking their place in the group stages of the Europa League seriously.[LNB] The Scottish champions had hoped to be plying their trade among the continent's elite again this season but failed to overcome Swedish side Malmo in Champions League qualifying.[LNB]Rangers now have a second chance in the shape of the Europa League - if they can progress past Maribor - and McCoist says they will not be treating the competition as a consolation prize.[LNB]He said: "It's really important. After the disappointment of the Champions League, this is the next best thing for us.[LNB]"It's the same for the opposition as well - they are in the same boat as ourselves.[LNB]"The Europa League gives us an opportunity to continue playing European football for the next few months of the season.[LNB]"It's something we actively want in terms of our players and our staff and, indeed, the fans.[LNB]"In an ideal world it would be the Champions League we would be playing in but it's not so we have to go for the next best thing and we will be giving all our efforts to the Europa League."[LNB]Rangers may be regarded as favourites to overcome the Slovenians ahead of Thursday night's play-off first leg in Maribor but, after rivals Celtic exited at the hands of FC Utrecht last year, McCoist needs no reminders about just how tough a task his side faces.[LNB]He said: "Although I read that one or two of the experts have got us down as favourites, as we have found to our cost not all favourites win.[LNB]"There are some tricky ties in any competition in Europe at the moment and we have one over the next 10 days.[LNB]"We expect a very difficult game because we have seen enough of Maribor.[LNB]"We know it's going to be a very, very difficult game. They have some technically gifted players, good players, and they will know all about us.[LNB]"They will have watched us and their coach is an intelligent coach and has obviously done his homework on ourselves.[LNB]"They will be good on the ball and comfortable on the ball and that's something we will have to combat."[LNB]Meanwhile, Maribor coach Darko Milanic insists previous experience of dumping Scottish teams out of the Europa League has given them confidence of overcoming Rangers.[LNB]The Slovenians sent Hibernian crashing out of the tournament last year with a comprehensive 6-2 aggregate victory over the Edinburgh side.[LNB]Milanic admits his side face a far trickier prospect when they host Rangers but says Maribor are optimistic about their chances.[LNB]He said: "Experience from last year's duels with Hibernian will come in handy.[LNB]"Hibernian didn't come to Maribor with a defensive orientation and we expect that Rangers will also try to do the same.[LNB]"It will be a tougher match but we believe in our chances."
