Walter Smith insists there is no reason for Rangers to fear their Champions League clash with Manchester United.
He believes his players will relish the challenge when they host the Group C leaders at Ibrox tonight as they bid to keep their own last 16 hopes alive. The Scottish champions need a win to have a chance of progressing to the knockout stages of the tournament and Smith insists everyone at Rangers is looking forward to the tussle with the Barclays Premier League giants.
"I don't think it's fear factor," he said. "It's a challenge we have to face up to. There is no doubt that they are a terrific side and we know that."
He added: "They have used somewhere in the region of 27 players in the Champions League so far so they have a huge squad of players to choose from.
"It's not a fear aspect, it's a challenge for us. Any footballer, or any manager, would look forward to it.
"The players will look forward to the game, they look forward to all the Champions League games.
"There will be a full house and there is always a terrific atmosphere. I think it would be strange if any footballer didn't relish the opportunity to play in that atmosphere against a good side."
Defeat in Valencia allowed the Spaniards to leapfrog Rangers into the coveted second spot behind United but Smith has been thrilled with their efforts so far, following a dismal campaign last term.
"I think we've performed in a manner I would hope we were capable of doing," he added. "In the last Champions League campaign, our home form was poor. This season it's been a bit better and hopefully that will continue.
"When we were going into the section, we were looking at trying to keep ourselves involved in Europe after Christmas. That's still within our grasp."
Source: PA
