Kris Boyd is eagerly anticipating Rangers' Champions League adventure this season.
Gers striker confident club can compete with Europe's elite
Kris Boyd is eagerly anticipating Rangers' UEFA Champions League adventure this season.
After finishing as champions of the SPL last campaign, Gers are readying themselves for Thursday's Champions League group stage draw.
Boyd admits recent times have been difficult for Scottish football, having seen Aberdeen, Motherwell and Falkirk all make early Europa League exits.
But the Scottish striker remains determined to show that SPL giants Gers can compete with Europe's best
He said in the
Daily Record: "It's a big help not having to prepare for a Champions League qualifier because if you go out you're branded a failure.
Momentum
"Losing to Kaunas last season was a huge disappointment but luckily we recovered to go on to win the league and Scottish Cup. Hopefully we can continue this momentum.
"We want the other Scottish clubs to win when they play in Europe - it's great for the nation and also great when the national team does well.
"But things come and go and while the Scottish game has suffered in the past few weeks, maybe it's just one of those spells for us as a country.
"However, we have shown not so long ago we can mix it with the best in Europe."
He continued: "Now we're in the Champions League it's another level for standards and expectations but as players it's the ultimate experience.
The best
"The Champions League is the big thing for me because I know I can compete against the best.
"Coming up against teams such as Arsenal and all their world-class players is important.
"It gives us a proper indication of what to expect and how we have to perform at the highest level. But it's a challenge for us as players to find an edge.
"When you look at places such as Ibrox, the Emirates, Celtic Park and other big stadia - that's where you want to play in the best arenas against the best teams."
