Pressure on Rangers to deliver

Walter Smith believes he will know significantly more about the prospect of his Rangers FC side qualifying from Group G after back-to-back games against FC Unirea Urziceni. Both sides have picked up a single point from games against Sevilla FC and VfB Stuttgart so far but Unirea coach Dan Petrescu insists the Romanian champions can play with freedom because the pressure is on their hosts. He claims his charges "have nothing to lose" and are growing in stature with every game they play in the UEFA Champions League.

Quotes
Walter Smith, Rangers manager
For both clubs the task is exactly the same. At this stage of the Champions League, all games are important. Once the back-to-back games are over, it gives you a better idea where you stand. We have had Unirea watched and they play with a number of formations. Overall, they have proved they are a good side. It's not often a smaller side can compete and beat bigger clubs in their country but they have done that. If you look at our game against Sevilla, I know it looks like a heavy defeat, but our performance in the first hour was very good, although we were disappointed with the goals we lost. I expect Unirea to play in a very solid manner, but they are not afraid to come forwards. They are compact and will look to attack when they get the opportunity.

Dan Petrescu, Unirea coach
This is going to be a difficult match against the champions of Scotland but we will try and give everything we can to win. Rangers are the favourites and all the pressure is on them. No matter what happens, we'll come away with our heads held high. Rangers are the better team, the bigger club and have more experience than us. If they don't win, it's going to be a disaster for them. We have nothing to lose. I know Rangers lost at home to Sevilla, but they played well. Our target is to finish third and qualify for the Europa League. But if we manage to finish second, it will be a great achievement for the club. I think Rangers have two faces. Away from home, I don't think you learn anything because they don't play well but at home they play very well. Tomorrow, I hope they play well and lose again. We have played against Sevilla who are the best team in the group and Stuttgart are a good side too so we have some experience and I'm sure our players will be braver now. We won't be afraid.

Weekend results
17/10/09 Saint Johnstone FC 1-2 Rangers
(Samuel 17; Boyd 40, Papac 83)

• Victory maintained the Scottish Premier League leader's unbeaten away record in 2009. Papac's goal was only his second in 78 league games for the club.

16/10/09 Unirea 1-2 SC Vaslui
(Onofras 7; Gerlem 52, Wesley 72)

• It was Unirea's first home defeat in all competitions this season, their first at home in the league in 17 matches since losing 1-0 to FC Politehnica Iaşi on 6 October 2008.

Team news
Rangers
Out: Maurice Edu (knee), Kirk Broadfoot (foot), Andrew Little (hamstring), Madjid Bougherra (knee)
Suspended: none
Misses next match if booked: none

• Bougherra is a major doubt after twisting a knee in training on Tuesday and there are fears he may have suffered medial ligament damage. However, there is better news on Pedro Mendes with the Portugal midfielder set to start after shaking off a thigh strain.

Unirea
Out: Raul Rusescu
Suspended: none
Misses next match if booked: Vasile Maftei

• Dinu Todoran was replaced by Pablo Brandán on 22 minutes against Vaslui after suffering a head injury. He initially lost feeling in the left side of his body but regained it a few hours later.

Background
• FC Steaua Bucureşti provided the opposition on the three previous occasions that Rangers have faced Romanian sides at home in UEFA club competition. Their most recent meeting came in the 1995/96 UEFA Champions League group stage, a 1-1 draw at Ibrox.

• Rangers won the other games, 2-1 in the 1987/88 European Champion Clubs' Cup quarter-finals and 2-0 in the 1969/70 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup first round. In their three away contests with Romanian opponents, Rangers have not fared anywhere near as well, failing to score and losing twice, drawing the other.

• The 4-1 defeat by Sevilla on Matchday 2 was Rangers' first loss since defeat by Celtic FC in extra-time in last season's League Cup final on 15 March. They had been 20 matches unbeaten.

Did you know?
• Unirea have never faced a Scottish team in a competitive fixture, but for the past two summers they have had a pre-season tour of Scotland and drew with Rangers' rivals Celtic on both trips.