Ferguson eyeing Cup run

Barry Ferguson believes Rangers are good enough to reach the UEFA Cup final this season as they prepare to face Werder Bremen in the last 16 at Ibrox tonight.

But the Rangers captain is confident of avoiding the same fate as rivals Celtic who went all the way in the tournament only to end the season empty-handed back in 2003.

The UEFA Cup is one of four competitions Rangers remain involved in, and Ferguson refuses to contemplate the prospect of a third consecutive barren campaign – having done so well on all fronts so far.

“I’m pretty sure that won’t happen,” he said.

“There is a good determination about the place just now. Things are going great, and we are in all four competitions.

“You could easily be left with nothing. But there are a lot of guys here who are desperate to win stuff, and that’s the way it should be. We are the only team left in Europe and we want to stay there as long as possible.

“We hope we can do our country proud and get through. Apart from the Champions League, I believe we are capable of winning every competition we enter.

“Werder Bremen are one of the favourites, so if we get past them you just never know. I genuinely believe reaching the final is within our capabilities.

“You just have to look at what Celtic did a few years ago. They went all the way to Seville and were very unlucky.

“If we get past Werder Bremen you never know what could happen.”

The visit of the Germans marks Ferguson’s 77th appearance in European competition – more than any other Scottish player after he equalled Dundee United great David Narey’s record against Panathinaikos last month.

He said: “Until last week, I wasn’t actually aware of the record. But it will be nice to make the history books.

“I hope there will be plenty more. It’s a nice thing to achieve, and I don’t see why I can’t reach 100 with Rangers.

“I have another couple of years left on my contract and another few after that, I hope, so there is every possibility I will sign on again.

“I knew last year that I had broken Greigy’s [John Greig] record (for most appearances in Europe by a Rangers player) – but to reach this milestone is a great achievement.”

Asked if he still gets the same buzz from European outings, the 30-year-old replied: “I think you tend to enjoy it a lot more when you get older.

“You are a long time finished – so you have got to enjoy every game you play in.”