Source: Team_Talk
Mendes expects improved showing
The Scottish champions received a boost ahead of Thursday night's draw in Monaco when they were promoted to pot two following Sporting Lisbon's failure to reach the group stages.
And Walter Smith's men will be reasonably happy after being drawn in Group G along with Sevilla, Stuttgart and Romanian champions Unirea Urziceni - avoiding all four of England's representatives in the tournament.
Rangers have so far failed to bolster their squad over the summer and look unlikely to do so before the transfer window closes on September 1.
But Mendes is confident the current double-winning squad are more than ready for the challenges ahead as they attempt to finally put last year's Kaunas humiliation firmly behind them.
He said: "A lot of new players came in last year and, after one year playing together - a successful year - I think we will be better.
"We know each other better and we will play together better. I think we can give some joy to the fans, I have no doubt about that.
"The Champions League always brings a little extra. Everyone is focused on that and we all want to achieve something. The manager and staff want us to do well, too, and I think we are in a good position."
Mendes is hoping to make his first appearance of the season on Saturday, when Hamilton come calling in the Scottish Premier League, after missing wins over Falkirk and Hearts with a thigh strain.
He trained for the first time with the rest of the squad yesterday and said: "Hopefully, I have no reaction and feel okay and I will take it from there.
"The plan is to get back training with the rest of the guys as I've only been training on my own this week, which is quite boring."
