Smith banks on away goal

RANGERS boss Walter Smith has emphasised the importance of grabbing an away goal as Werder Bremen prepare to go for broke to make up for their Ibrox nightmare.

Bremen’s 2-0 defeat in Glasgow last week means the Germans face elimination from the UEFA Cup unless they can rout Rangers at the Weserstadion.

Smith believes the game is shaping up to be “one of the toughest matches” Rangers will play all season.

“I don’t think we are in a commanding position,” he said.

“We won the first leg 2-0 at home, and Bremen will think they can do the same on their home ground.” But he added: “It is an advantage for us, especially if we can manage to get a goal.”

Smith has no doubts the hosts, who have a history of staging stunning comebacks in Europe, will come out gunning for goals from the first whistle.

“At Ibrox they attacked at every opportunity. They have a reputation of being a tough home team. We know we are in for a very tough evening defensively,” Smith said.

“But for us to make the most out of the first-leg result we have to at least score one goal ourselves and I think that will be an important factor.”

Smith believes keeping Bremen quiet in the early stages, or at least keeping them off the scoresheet, could be vital.

“There will be more chances for us the longer the game goes,” he added.

“The longer the game goes and it stays 0-0 we’ll have more opportunities to break away.

“But the main thing is to keep the score 0-0.”

Smith will be without Daniel Cousin, who scored but also fractured his jaw in the first leg.

Cousin’s fellow striker Jean-Claude Darcheville (achilles) is also out, while Lee McCulloch (thigh), who is another candidate for a role up front, faces a fitness race.

“Darcheville is not fit to play,” revealed Smith. “He might make Sunday’s CIS Cup final but we don’t think he is quite ready for this game.”