Skipper David Weir insists Rangers are still more than happy to juggle their domestic duties with the Europa League as they prepare to face PSV Eindhoven in the last 16 of the competition.
Walter Smith's men may have crashed out of the Scottish Cup to Celtic last week but are still in the race for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title and will contest their Old Firm rivals for the first silverware of the season this month, when the Glasgow giants meet in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final.
Weir said: "You just take every game as it comes and the European games give you a wee bit of relief."
Injury problems are already starting to mount for the Scottish champions, who should at least be able to call upon Kyle Lafferty for the first leg in Holland, after he recovered from tonsillitis.
But, rather than see their continental outings as a burden, veteran defender Weir claims the European matches actually provide the players with a boost instead.
He said: "You go and play different teams, in different stadiums, and it freshens things up. All the players look forward to the European games.
"We have had a reasonable record over the last few years and everyone enjoys getting away and playing against different teams."
Rangers are in the unfamiliar position of playing away from home in the first leg on this occasion, having most recently sealed their progression against Sporting Lisbon with a dramatic second leg win in Portugal.
Boss Smith said: "In a knockout circumstance since I've been back at the club, it has been the opposite way around, playing at home first. I don't know how much of an effect that will have on us. I don't think it matters that much whether you are away first or otherwise.
"We have a situation where the game away from home is one where you have to try to get that important away goal. We hope we have the opportunity to do that first and foremost."
Source: PA
