Mendes relishing Champions League

04 August 2009 10:10
The Ibrox club's financial situation has meant every player has their price this summer but midfielder Mendes is hoping to stay put. The 30-year-old has not played a Champions League tie for five years - when he won the trophy with Porto - and he cannot wait to end that sequence after missing out last season. The Portuguese, who joined Rangers shortly after their shock qualifying defeat to Kaunas last summer, said: "I have not had the chance to play European football with Rangers yet. "People keep telling me how special the atmosphere is at Ibrox on a big European night and I want to taste it for myself. The Champions League is something special for the players and fans." When asked if he is sure to be a part of Walter Smith's squad for the upcoming campaign, Mendes added: "The transfer window is still open but I'm really pleased to be here. "I'm happy with the way I have been treated and really happy to be at Rangers. Yes, we have to get through August until the deadline is over and anything can happen. People can come in and people can move out but these are decisions for the chairman and manager. "In January, there was a lot of speculation because of the financial situation at the club. People said we would have to lose players. But I said then that I wanted to stay because I believed I could be a champion with Rangers and that is what happened. "Now we have a title to defend and we have the Champions League to look forward to - so I don't think my attitude has changed much."

Source: Team_Talk