Rangers manager Walter Smith is relishing the opportunity of taking on Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League last 32.
Gers boss expects tough clash against Portuguese opponents
Rangers manager Walter Smith is relishing the opportunity of taking on Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League last 32.
The Champions League dropouts were handed a tricky tie against the side from Portugal in a repeat of the Uefa Cup quarter-final from 2008 when the Gers clinched a 2-0 aggregate win.
SPL champions Rangers will be at home in the first leg and if they get through to the last 16, Smith's side will face Lille or PSV Eindhoven.
However, the Gers boss is not looking too far ahead and is expecting 'two really tough games'.
Tough
Smith told the
club's official website: "We know we will face two really tough games because they are playing well at the moment and we had to play well to win there last time out.
"We played some good football against them across the two legs and we will really have to repeat those kinds of levels to have success in the Europa League.
"Of course Pedro Mendes is there so we know the quality of player that we will face."
Steven Whittaker, who scored the second goal against Sporting in 2008 added: "There is no doubt that is the best I have scored, purely because of the importance of it and what it meant to the team.
"To see the ball hit the net was an unbelievable feeling, the best ever, and the atmosphere in the dressing room was fantastic."
