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Boyd: Doubt for Rangers

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Rangers must beat Stuttgart at Ibrox on Tuesday if they are to stand any chance of qualifying for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.

However, three points against the Germans may still not be enough to see Walter Smith's through from Group G.

The Gers have just two points from their opening four games and have the unenviable task of travelling to Spain to face Sevilla in the final group game.

Rangers will take comfort from the fact that they drew 1-1 with Stuttgart in Germany on match day one and go into the clash on good form having thumped Kilmarnock 3-0 at the weekend.

Marcus Babbel's side are also in desperate need of the points and will be looking to ease the pressure on their manager with a good performance in Scotland after some dismal results in the Bundesliga this term - Stuttgart are in the relegation zone.

The hosts will have to improve their home record if they are to come away victorious on Tuesday after two horrendous results at Ibrox in this season's competition so far.

Having held Sevilla for 50 minutes the Gers catastrophically fell to a 4-1 defeat while the 4-1 home loss to Unirea Urziceni that followed was met by huge derision from Rangers supporters.

The Scottish champions improved drastically last time out and were minutes away from winning 1-0 in Romania but fell to an 88th minute equaliser, a goal that has made their task a whole lot harder.

Team news

Smith has a number of injury concerns ahead of the must-win clash with doubts over a number of his first-team regulars.

Rangers are definitely without midfielders Pedro Mendes (thigh) and Maurice Edu (knee) while defender Kirk Broadfoot (foot) is also sidelined.

Meanwhile forward Steven Naismith (calf/hamstring), Kris Boyd (calf), DaMarcus Beasley (hamstring) and Jerome Rothen (virus) are all doubtful.

Smith must also decide whether to start Madjid Bougherra after the defender returned late from international duty after celebrating Algeria's World Cup qualification.

It is the third time the former Charlton man has returned home late and 17-year-old Danny Wilson could continue his run in the side if Bougherra is not selected.

Stuttgart are certainly without long-term casualty Martin Lanig (cruciate ligament), while Sami Khedira (foot), Stefano Celozzi are also out.

Babbel also has concerns for Ricardo Osorio (thigh), Serdar Tasci (foot) and Ludovic Magnin (thigh).

Smith must make decision on Bougherra for must-win clash

Rangers must beat Stuttgart at Ibrox on Tuesday if they are to stand any chance of qualifying for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.

However, three points against the Germans may still not be enough to see Walter Smith's through from Group G.

The Gers have just two points from their opening four games and have the unenviable task of travelling to Spain to face Sevilla in the final group game.

Rangers will take comfort from the fact that they drew 1-1 with Stuttgart in Germany on match day one and go into the clash on good form having thumped Kilmarnock 3-0 at the weekend.

Marcus Babbel's side are also in desperate need of the points and will be looking to ease the pressure on their manager with a good performance in Scotland after some dismal results in the Bundesliga this term - Stuttgart are in the relegation zone.

The hosts will have to improve their home record if they are to come away victorious on Tuesday after two horrendous results at Ibrox in this season's competition so far.

Having held Sevilla for 50 minutes the Gers catastrophically fell to a 4-1 defeat while the 4-1 home loss to Unirea Urziceni that followed was met by huge derision from Rangers supporters.

The Scottish champions improved drastically last time out and were minutes away from winning 1-0 in Romania but fell to an 88th minute equaliser, a goal that has made their task a whole lot harder.

Team news

Smith has a number of injury concerns ahead of the must-win clash with doubts over a number of his first-team regulars.

Rangers are definitely without midfielders Pedro Mendes (thigh) and Maurice Edu (knee) while defender Kirk Broadfoot (foot) is also sidelined.

Meanwhile forward Steven Naismith (calf/hamstring), Kris Boyd (calf), DaMarcus Beasley (hamstring) and Jerome Rothen (virus) are all doubtful.

Smith must also decide whether to start Madjid Bougherra after the defender returned late from international duty after celebrating Algeria's World Cup qualification.

It is the third time the former Charlton man has returned home late and 17-year-old Danny Wilson could continue his run in the side if Bougherra is not selected.

Stuttgart are certainly without long-term casualty Martin Lanig (cruciate ligament), while Sami Khedira (foot), Stefano Celozzi are also out.

Babbel also has concerns for Ricardo Osorio (thigh), Serdar Tasci (foot) and Ludovic Magnin (thigh).