Weir - Gers must learn lesson

Weir: Demands improvement

Related links

Teams

• Rangers

Also see

• Rangers fixtures
• SPL table
• Rangers stats

David Weir admits Rangers must learn fast if they are to remain in the Champions League this season.

Gers are battling it out with Unirea Urziceni and Stuttgart for the second qualification spot in Group G, with Sevilla the runaway group leaders.

Third place would book a place in the Europa League yet the Scottish champions are bottom of the group with just one point after 4-1 home defeats by Sevilla and Romanian debutants Unirea.

Weir feels Rangers are still finding their feet in Europe again after a shock defeat by Lithuanian minnows FBK Kaunas last season stopped their European campaign at the qualifying stage.

But the veteran defender knows they cannot afford any further slips with just two more group games to come after Wednesday's trip to Romania.

"We didn't have any European football last year so it's new to us again and we've got to learn quickly because if we keep getting bad results we will be out of the competition," he said.

"It's something we have to learn very quickly. I don't think anybody can tell us how to do it, we've got to work it out for ourselves.

Vast improvement

"We just need to play better than we did in the last game. We know if we play the same way as we played in that game, we will lose.

"An improvement in performance from every player is the most important thing."

Rangers made a dream start last time out against Unirea as they took a second-minute lead but Dan Petrescu's side battled back to stun Ibrox.

"Unirea played well," Weir said. "They worked very hard and they took their chances when they got them.

"You've got to give them a lot of credit for the way they played. They came and worked hard and made it difficult for us."

Solidity

Weir is set to be partnered by Lee McCulloch at the back and although Rangers need to chase victory, he insists it must be founded on a strong defensive display.

"That's always got to come first, you have to be solid in these games," Weir said.

"If you're not, the other teams will score because they have qualities. First and foremost, that has got to be important.

"But there has to be a balance because you obviously need to score goals as well."