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Shamelessly ripped off from elsewhere. Kevin Thomson's is something like 4 wins, 0 defeats, 0 draws. Charlie Adam at one point had an undefeated record, though he played in the 1-0 defeat last Dec. So his record is approx. 5-1-0 (may be 2 defeats). Any one know of any other unbeaten records out there?

Referee Craig Thomson says he should have awarded Celtic a penalty in the 12th minute of their defeat by Rangers. More...

CELTIC defender Glenn Loovens will discover the outcome of his protracted appeal against a one-match ban before his side's next match. SFA disciplinary beaks will convene a three-man panel to hear the former Cardiff defender's case on October 15 - two days before Celtic entertain Motherwell. Loovens will miss the SPL clash with Well if he loses his fight to overturn the suspension imposed by the SFA for his clash with Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu last season. Loovens was punished after catching Edu with his studs on the back of the American's knee during Celtic's 1-0 defeat by Rangers on May 9. Referee Craig Thomson missed the incident but referred it to the SFA's review panel after watching television footage. The Holland international then received the ban from the SFA disciplinary committee in August but his challenge allowed him to play in the opening SPL match at Aberdeen and he has since been waiting for an appeal date to be set. Celtic assistant manager Mark Venus last month accused the SFA of lacking professionalism over the delay in organising the hearing. However, confirmation of the one-match ban may not affect Tony Mowbray's selection for the Motherwell game too much after the Celtic manager criticised his side's defending during yesterday's 2-1 defeat at Ibrox. Kenny Miller struck two goals for Rangers after Loovens twice failed to deal with simple forward balls.

Rangers are likely to be without Madjid Bougherra for Sunday's Old Firm derby as the defender is suffering from flu. Lee McCulloch could replace him if he recovers from illness, while Kyle Lafferty could start up front even though Kenny Miller might be fit. Celtic defender Andreas Hinkel and winger Paddy McCourt, who are both carrying knocks, did not train and will have fitness tests on Saturday. Midfielder Scott Brown will continue to play despite a nagging ankle injury. Didn't see this posted.. my confidence just wained slightly.

An interesting look from pete at our recent months without our former skipper.... A few years ago I was working in a factory where everyone was of the opinion that if the head of the maintenance department ever quit his job, the whole factory would be in trouble. It could even go bankrupt was the general consensus. He was the only one who could repair everything and anything. At that time the management knew someone was stealing and laid a trap to catch the culprit. To everyoneââ?¬â?¢s shock it turned out to be the irreplaceable head of maintenance. After years and years of service he was fired on the spot. Did the factory shut down? No! What did happen was that his assistant took control, brought in some new ideas and actually improved things. Why am I telling this story? In my opinion, we as Rangers supporters have just witnessed a similar scenario in Barry Ferguson leaving the club. In no way am I accusing Barry of stealing, although some supporters will say he was certainly not earning his huge wages. The common denominator in the two scenarios being that many fans believed up to the end of last season that Barry Ferguson was irreplaceable, and that Rangers could not win the league without him. The doomsday scenario of Barry getting injured and then demoted for the famous boozegate incident meant Rangers were without our irreplaceable ex-captain. Nevertheless, as in the story above, the Rangers team did not crumble and fall but his understudy, Maurice Edu took over in the engine room, and actually improved the Rangers midfield. Rangers went on an unbeaten run to claim the SPL title for the 52nd time. With Barry heading down the M6 to Birmingham in the summer, life without Barry at Ibrox was to begin for real. Injuries to Maurice Edu, Kevin Thomson and Pedro Mendes were to further complicate matters. A replacement was to be found in the unexpected person of Lee McCulloch. Big Lee has stepped in and performed competently, scoring a few from midfield. He has probably been the surprise packet of the season so far. While Lee has performed above expectations, the player we were expecting the most from, Pedro Mendes, has so far failed to produce any sort of form to get the bears exited about. While he was unlucky to be red carded against Kilmarnock his performances have been way down from the form that won him a few player of the match awards last season. With Pedro and Lee both commanding a midfield position, we certainly lack a bit of pace and flexibility. Kevin Thomson has also recently returned to the team and once he has built up the needed match fitness he will probably be the first name on the team sheet, with McCulloch finding himself out in the cold. Walter Smith has been playing Stevie Davis on the right hand side of the midfield but most people agree he looks to be far more effective when he plays through the middle. The fact is we have just too many players trying to claim the central midfield positions. When Maurice Edu returns in a few weeks Walter will be given a further headache of trying to keep all the midfielders happy and playing. Indeed, if Edu hits the form he did at the end of last term then it could be Pedro Mendes who drops to the bench leaving a midfield of Davis, Edu, Thomson and Rothen. Walter could of course play Mendes as well, and go for a five man midfield, which he will no doubt do in European games, but this strategy has not been too successful in SPL games in the past. Certainly, if everyone hits form then it certainly looks like Walter will have a chest of riches to choose from. As it stands though, with Barry playing well down in Birmingham, and with Rangers losing to Seville plus drawing their last three successive league games, the Barry believers will be starting to raise their heads again in a ââ?¬Å?we told you soââ?¬Â sort of way. The fact is that Rangers dropped more points last season with Barry in the team than we did when he was not in the team. Barry has now gone, it is now time to move on with the players we have. Pound for pound Rangers arguably still have the strongest team in the SPL. It is now time for the players to start believing that. Walter Smith has to get the team playing to their true ability and not under-achieving. Starting against Celtic on Sunday, we have to start producing performances befitting of Scottish champions. Barry Ferguson will back us on that. :spl:

Smith continues Celtic's hoodoo:

Chuffed to see Thomson in the squad. Looks like Whittaker will lose the LB spot to Danny 'how many tattoos have I got on my arm' Fox. Snodgrass has impressed me this season for Leeds. Charliedinho is also in the squad.

Wrote this before the Aberdeen game but couldn't get it posted right on the main site before it. Given an impotent attacking display it's still relevant though.

When I turned on ESPN this Saturday, the first Rangers game broadcast by the American Network that puts Sky�s coverage to shame, I was shocked and pleased in equal measure by the starting line up Smith had chosen to tackle Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. Since Smith and his management team have returned to the club I have at times been frustrated by his unwillingness to utilise his full squad. It can be argued that at the end of the 2007/8 season as we battled on four fronts to win silverware that had Smith been willing to utilise the full benefit of his large squad we may not have come up just short in our assault on the title. I may be being a little unfair Walter and his deputies as hitherto before unseen backlog of fixtures is what ultimately cost us the league crown. However, it still stands that at times he has been reticent to rotate his squad and gain the benefits of fringe players who are fresh, fully fit and eager to contribute. So as posters in the main forum will have noted, prior to kick off, I was pleased to note the changes made from what was an excellent point earned in Germany. Kris Boyd, who prior to this weekend�s game had a scoring record of more than a goal a game against his former employers, returned to the starting line up as a toiling Kenny Miller made way. Davie Weir returned to the first XI and with Bougherra suspended it was vital our captain was fit with few other options for the centre-back position. I had assumed the veteran defenders experience would coach McCulloch through another game in his new defensive role. In came Fleck and Novo as Thomson and Rothen dropped to the bench. There could be little complaints about the formation and line up the manager had selected for this latest fixture. A willingness to freshen up the first team and attacking intent in abundance. We had pace and trickery in wide areas from Fleck, Novo and Naismith. Mendes was partnered in the centre by the diminutive Ulsterman Steve Davis, moved in from the right flank where he is able to have more influence on proceedings. With Scotland�s deadliest marksman feeding off this supply on-loan Celtic keeper Mark Brown must have been expecting a far more difficult afternoon than he endured. However, as the draw in Stuttgart highlighted, defying popular opinion of so called experts and bookmakers, football is played out on the field not on paper. Despite the supposed gulf in class, despite the abundance of attacking quality available to Rangers, we rarely troubled the Kilmarnock goal. Yesterday was not a game for the neutrals. Had I not such a deep emotional attachment to my football team, I might not have been watching until fulltime. It was the kind of contest where you would not open your curtains had it been played out in your back garden. Time and again I have argued from the position of football fanatic, not customer. I am not terribly interested in the so-called product so long as positive results are being obtained. Where that argument falls short and where those who wish to be entertained as well victorious are hard to argue against is after a fixture like Saturday�s. A poor performance married with a poor result that saw Celtic usurp our position atop the league table. Fortunately with fixtures against Aberdeen and Celtic next up on league duty we have ample opportunity to make amends and return to our rightful position at the summit. Before that of course we have a Co-op cup fixture with Queen of the South and our first Home Champions League game against La Liga cracks Sevilla. A worrying trend in an inability to motivate ourselves from the first whistle has continued into the new season. Away in Germany we can be forgiven for having to survive a first half onslaught. Stuttgart, as the home team, were under pressure to take maximum points as results achieved at home so often determine the outcome of the Champions League group stage. The German outfit are also blessed with greater financial clout and therefore individual star quality. At half time Smith was able to galvanise his team and they produced a second half performance worthy of the Rangers to take an excellent point on the road. There are no excuses for not being able to take the game to a vastly inferior Kilmarnock team. Much like we have managed to do on our European travels under Smith and McCoist, Killie managed to produce a team performance to outfox a team with greater resources and quality. Like we have shown in our march to Manchester, a good team ethic can defeat superior opposition. We, therefore, no better than anyone that approaching any fixture with the right mental attitude is vital if we are to avoid dropping silly points as we mount our title challenge. I put last week�s drab draw with Motherwell down as a one off. It is rare any team can complete a perfect season. Rangers have managed it just once in our history. But if we have serious ambitions of retaining our league title and extending our world record to 53 titles we cannot afford to put together a string of dropped points. I had hoped the 0-0 draw at Fir Park would serve as sufficient motivation to approach our league fixtures with the correct mindset. It was disappointing therefore that we would again drop points in the very next fixture. Last weekend we were fortunate that our errors were not punished by Celtic as they could not take advantage of our slip up. We were not likely to get away with it two weeks running. Perhaps this weekend�s disappointment was a result of a Champions League hangover. If that is the case it is a worrying scenario for the season ahead with a minimum of 5 more Champions League fixtures to be negotiated. We are all aware of the importance of competing at Europe�s top table. This summer�s transfer window was a bit of non-event as far as Rangers were concerned. Imagine the disaster that may have unfolded had we not guaranteed Champions League participation. Star players such as Bougherra and Davis may no longer be plying their trade at Ibrox. We therefore understand the importance of ensuring we retain our league title and are entered into the draw in Monaco next summer. It is essential then that Walter Smith gets this first half malaise drilled out of our players. Queen of the South are up next at Palmerston this midweek and I expect them to be on the end of a Rangers backlash. There are many players with a lot to prove ahead of vital fixtures with Aberdeen and Sevilla. Kris Boyd, Pedro Mendes and Kenny Miller have flattered to deceive so far this season. They are all seasoned and experience pro�s and their performances should be helping guys like John Fleck and a now injury free Steven Naismith to settle into the team. I am unsure as to whether we should stick with Miller and Boyd and hope that what should be a formality of a fixture will allow them to play their way into form, or drop them to the bench and hope that that serves as the motivation to find their form from the first whistle.

Rangers have a major fitness concern over David Weir for tonightââ?¬â?¢s Champions League 
Group G opener against VfB Stuttgart, writes Darryl Broadfoot. The 39-year-old captain suffered a heavily bruised ankle in Saturdayââ?¬â?¢s goalless draw against Motherwell at Fir Park and did not train with the team at the Mercedes-Benz Arena last night. He will undergo a fitness test this morning but Walter Smith is fearful over exacerbating the injury, even though a scan showed no ligament damage. If Weir cannot recover in time, Lee McCulloch will revert to centre-back, which will cause the manager a midfield dilemma. Smith has concerns over a lack of match sharpness in his new signing, Jerome Rothen, but also Kevin Thomson, who has started only one competitive match this season after recovering from cruciate surgery. If McCulloch has to play at the back, Thomson is likely to play the holding role in a 4-1-4-1 with Steven Davis moving infield alongside Pedro Mendes. Steven Naismith is expected to start after his impressive performance for Scotland against Holland, leaving Smith to decide between Nacho Novo, Rothen and DaMarcus Beasley ââ?¬â?? whose displays in the Champions League two years ago have put him in contention ââ?¬â?? for the final slot behind the lone striker, Kenny Miller. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/rangers/david-weir-is-major-doubt-for-rangers-champions-league-opener-1.920194 fingers crossed it's not true!!!!

WALTER SMITH is set to hand Kevin Thomson and Steven Naismith starting slots as Rangers kick-off their Champions League campaign here tomorrow night. The Gers manager is preparing to make some changes to the starting line-up and formation for the Group G encounter against Stuttgart in the Mercedes-Benz Arena. And it means both Thomson and Naismith - who were on the bench at the weekend as the Ibrox side drew 0-0 with Motherwell at Fir Park - will come straight into the starting line-up. Rangers arranged a closed door match with Morton at Murray Park yesterday to give Thomson some game time ahead of tomorrow's showdown with the Germans, after three weeks without a top team appearance. The midfielder was sent-off in his one and only league start this term away to Hearts, and was suspended for the home game with Hamilton Accies. He then had a free weekend when Scotland faced Macedonia and was unused at Motherwell on Saturday. But he played against Morton in a 3-1 victory and was joined by Nacho Novo - who netted a hat-trick - and John Fleck. Now Thommo is now in line to slot straight into the middle of the park. A Rangers insider revealed: "He didn't play the full 90 minutes but he managed to come through it without any problems." Smith will revert to his tried and tested 4-5-1 formation which he prefers to go with in European fixtures away from home. It means new signing Jerome Rothen is likely to drop back to the bench to allow Naismith to operate wide on the left with a view to getting as close to Kenny Miller as possible when Rangers are attacking. Kris Boyd is the second player that should find himself out of the starting line-up as Thomson is thrown into a three-man central midfield alongside Lee McCulloch and Pedro Mendes. And McCulloch could be handed a key role as the player designated to man-mark Stuttgart playmaker Alexander Hleb, providing the Belarussian midfielder recovers from a knock that threatens to keep him out of the showdown. Gers boss Smith said: "When you are operating in the Champions League you expect every game to be a difficult one. Stuttgart are a top side who have performed consistently well in the Bundesliga for quite some time. "But you want to be playing in the Champions League and everyone connected with Rangers is looking forward to this campaign immensely."

Just heard Gavin Rae and Graham Dorrans have been called up ? What does Kevin Thomson need to do to get a call up to Burleys Sqaud ? Is there something i am missing ? Surely he would walk into the current Squad. Or is it another anti Rangers agenda from Burley and the SFA.

Overall this qualifying campaign has been a disaster from the performances on the park to the boozegate stuff off the park and the way that was handled. For us to not even get 2nd in the group reflects it in the end. I wanted to see us in South Africa but had we sneaked in the back door it would have been through sheer luck more than anything else. the likes of N Ireland have gave their group a real go and far deserve a play off spot more than Scotland do. The SFA dont help things, its now 11 years and counting since we were at WC 98 but we have a mess of a organisation running things who ban 2 key players and hamper qualification. The whole system needs sorted out in scottish football from top to bottom including those who attempt to run it and the structure of the domestic leagues. The Craig Brown days look glorious compared to what we have right now. How Walter managed to pick up us in such mess and put is in a great position is beyond me. We've falling like a pack of cards again since then. I think we have some good players that just need coached right. We have 3 quality keepers in Gordon, McGregor (has to be recalled) and alexander. Our midfield looks good if K Thomson comes in to play with Brown, Fletcher, McFadden and Commons. We just need a manager who will come in and get them playing well again.

http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish...=6&newsID=4745 Decent enough Rangers contingent. Notice the guy Fyvie that Frankie mentioned in his thread is in there too.

Here's an up-to-date list of the first team squad. The injured players are not in bold. 1 - Allan McGregor 2 - Maurice Edu - Injured 3 - David Weir 4 - Pedro Mendes - Injured 5 - Sasa Papac 6 - Lee McCulloch 7 - Steven Davis 8 - Kevin Thomson (still not 100% after previous injury) 9 - Kris Boyd 10 - Nacho Novo - Injured 14 - Steven Naismith 16 - Steven Whittaker 18 - Kenny Miller 19 - Aaron Niguez (on loan from Valncia) 20 - DaMarcus Beasley 21 - Kirk Broadfoot - Injured 24 - Madjid Bougherra 25 - Neil Alexander 26 - Steven Smith 27 - Kyle Lafferty 29 - John Fleck - Striker Age 17 (turns 18 on 24th Aug) 43 - Steven Lennon - Striker - Age 21 47 - Jordan McMillan - Versatile Defender or Midfielder - Age 20 (turns 21 on 16th Oct) 48 - Andrew Little - Striker or Center Back - Age 20 49 - Steven Kinniburgh - Attacking Left Back - Age 20 52 - Andrew Shinnie - Striker - Age 20 66 - Danny Wilson - Left sided Center Back - Age 17 So in summary, if you don't count the injured players & youngsters, our squad looks like this - Goalkeepers 1 - Allan McGregor 25 - Neil Alexander Defenders 3 - David Weir 5 - Sasa Papac (suspended for 1st SPL fixture) 16 - Steven Whittaker 24 - Madjid Bougherra 26 - Steven Smith Midfielders 6 - Lee McCulloch (not really a midfielder but will be needed as one) 7 - Steven Davis 8 - Kevin Thomson (still not 100% after previous injury) 20 - DaMarcus Beasley Strikers 9 - Kris Boyd 14 - Steven Naismith 18 - Kenny Miller 27 - Kyle Lafferty (suspended for 1st 2 SPL fixtures)

Once the euphoria of a 2-1 victory at Tynecastle had died down, yet again I was left pondering this very question. Sure, some may argue that a narrow hard fought victory at the home of our capital rivals is no great feat. However, the circumstances of the victory should be considered. Hearts are the perennial third force in Scottish football and a visit to Tynecastle is arguably the second most difficult match on the Rangers fixture calendar. We also have to bear in mind that a harsh red card for Kevin Thomson saw the rest of the team having to battle against a full strength Hearts team for over 80 minutes (including injury time). Even more impressive than the result was the manner in which it was achieved. Viewers tuning in for the second half could be forgiven for thinking that it was Hearts that were competing with a man less as we dominated the second period and the last minute penalty, won by Naismith and converted by Boyd, was just rewards for our play. Boyd�s late arrival onto the field of play was perplexing to myself as well as a number of other fans I have spoken with. With Celtic disposing of St Johnstone by a 3 goal margin the previous afternoon, 3 points at Tynecastle was imperative if we did not want to be playing catch up at this early stage. So, with a Hearts side struggling for results and confidence this season, it was a little disappointing that Smith did not make a positive or aggressive change at half time. With his team down to 10 men, Smith decided to sacrifice the youthful energy and direct running of Fleck for the defensive grit of Stevie Smith in the midfield. His decision to leave Boyd on the bench, who had admittedly been struggling with illness through the week, appeared to lack ambition. To Walter�s credit however, the substitution and tactical switch changed the complexion of the game. Stevie Smith, a natural left back, helped shore up a midfield reduced in numbers, but the diminutive left back also got forward well from his midfield berth and his deliveries were a constant thorn in Hearts rearguard. It was from a Smith delivery, albeit a set piece, that led to McCulloch�s opener. The much maligned former Wigan man is joint top scorer at Murray Park. And Steven Naismith was unfortunate not to add to his account for the season from another wicked Smith delivery. The performance of Stevie Smith and indeed the dominance of Rangers in the second half more than justified Smith�s tactical changes and half time substitution. And, of course, it allowed Smith to retain the ace up his sleeve until he really needed him. The influential substitution of Smith for Fleck may in part have been forced by Boyd�s lack of match sharpness due to illness. Whatever the truth, the manager deserves the benefit of the doubt. And when he did finally introduce Boyd to the fray, the big Ayrshire man did what he does best. With his first touch of the match, Boyd did what the forwards had struggled to do for large portions of the game. He got the better of the impressive Goncalves, winning an aerial joust and directing the ball on for the onrushing Naismith. Boyd�s former Kilmarnock strike partner drove into the box and although there was initial contact outside the box, the offending challenge occurred inside the box and for once referee Craig Thomson called it right as he pointed to the spot. Boyd has an enviable record from 12 yards and his winning goal was no more than his team mates deserved in outplaying a Hearts side with a numerical advantage. Whilst Walter�s second tenure at the club has seen some remarkable results, some football purists have questioned the tactics that have secured the results and the trophies. On that impressive run to Manchester, even some Rangers diehards groaned at the brand of football. So after groaning at half time when Walter made what could be considered a negative change, in bringing off an exciting young forward player for a gritty left-back to bolster his midfield, I am left asking yet again: do the ends justify the means? Damn right it does!

I know he was keen to get back, but seeing as how he'd be fired up enough to press for a place, and to get stuck in to overcome the mental side of such a long lay off, was it maybe a mistake by Walter to play Kevin Thomson last Sunday? Though it all worked out well enough in the end, mind you. I just can't help thinking it was an accident waiting to happen. There you are, three days after the game. On the pulse as always!

First i have heard of this and i watched live. Of course just like Celtic and the Ricksen incident the culprits will already be reported and banned. I also can't help thinking if it was Rangers supporters then it would have been a front page headline instead of a note under another story.

Rangers manager Walter Smith says Craig Thomson was wrong to send off midfielder Kevin Thomson in the win over Hearts. More...

SMITH admits Thomson is almost back in first XI More...

PEDRO MENDES will miss the big SPL kick-off tomorrow with a thigh injury. The Portuguese midfielder has been unable to train with his team-mates at Murray Park this week and has been ruled out of Rangers' flag unfurling at home to Falkirk. And he could also miss next Sunday's clash with Hearts at Tynecastle depending on how he reacts to treatment over the next week. It's the last thing manager Walter Smith needs as he prepares for the start of Gers title with SIX first team players missing through injury and suspension. Smith prepared for going into the new campaign without the services of American internationalist Maurice Edu, who is still a few weeks away from returning after a knee operation at the end of last season, and Kirk Broadfoot who is recovering from foot surgery. With Sasa Papac (one game) and Kyle Lafferty (three games) both suspended, and other players struggling with slight knocks, it has left Rangers short as they aim to kick off the season with a win. And there was further bad news on the injury front. Nacho Novo could be out for a lengthy period with a shoulder injury sustained during training. The Spaniard will visit a specialist next week but Rangers fear he could be ruled out for a couple of months. Smith's immediate quandary is his midfield for the visit of the Bairns. The Mendes injury could force him to put Kevin Thomson into the starting line-up sooner than the Ibrox boss would have liked. He also has the option of Lee McCulloch in a holding role alongside Steven Davis, who now seems certain to revert to his favoured central role.

This rant was formulating in my mind on Wednesday night, but I didn't have the opportunity to write/post it then.

I wrote this last weekend and posted in the writer's forum, but with Frankie busy the rest were too lazy to do anything with it. Perhaps the timing of this is not so great now, but I wrote it so it's getting posted.

THOMSON not quite ready for Gers More...

PEDRO MENDES rejected a return to the Premier League in the last transfer window to focus on winning a title medal with Rangers. Now the dream of ending a five-year wait to return to the Champions League will keep the Portuguese playmaker at Ibrox. Mendes is getting a reminder of life in England's top-flight as Rangers take on Arsenal, Manchester City and former club Portsmouth in glamour pre-season games. But it's the chance to get back among Europe's elite which is driving the midfield star this summer. Mendes sparkled at The Emirates Cup in London at the weekend, but he insists he's in no rush for a permanent return south. He said: "The transfer window is still open, but I'm really pleased to be here at Rangers. "I'm happy with the way I have been treated by the club and really happy to still be here. "Yes, we have to get through August until the deadline is over and, in that time, anything can happen. "People can come in, people can move out - but these are decisions for the chairman and the manager to make. "I remember in January there was a lot of speculation because of the financial situation at the club. "People said we would have to lose players - but I said then I wanted to stay. "That was because I believed that I could be a champion with Rangers and that is what happened. "Now we have a big season ahead of us. We have a title to defend and we have the Champions League to look forward to. "I don't think my attitude has changed too much since January. It also helps when the fans are on your side. "It's always good as a player when you feel the fans are behind you. It reflects the effort you put into the team for them. "When things are going well it's great but, when things go wrong, there is another side to it and you need to be prepared for that. "The most important thing for me is I feel good at the club and my family is settled in Glasgow." Mendes has yet to play a European match for Gers after arriving in the aftermath of last season's disaster against FBK Kaunas. Advertisement His last experience of Euro action was winning the 2004 Champions League with Porto. He got a reminder of that contest when he faced a Paris St Germain side including Jerome Rothen and Ludovic Giuly - who were in the Monaco side which lost to Jose Mourinho's aces. But Gers were given a stark warning about the scale of the task they face in this season's Champions League when they were hammered 3-0 by classy Arsenal on Sunday. Mendes knows it will be tough and isn't expecting to repeat the heroics of Porto. But he remains eager to test himself against the best - and sample his first-ever Euro night at Ibrox. He added: "When I joined it was just after the team had lost in the Champions League qualifiers, so I have not had the chance to play in Europe with Rangers yet. ''It's something I'm looking forward to. In fact, the last time I played in Europe was in the Champions League Final for Porto against Monaco in 2004. "They had Rothen and Giuly as well as Dado Prso and Fernando Morientes. But we managed to win. "It's been a long time to wait for me personally and I'm looking forward to experiencing it again. "People keep telling me how special the atmosphere is at Ibrox on a big European night and I want to taste it for myself. The Champions League is something a little bit special for the fans and the players. "It's a break from the pressure of the SPL and it will be good for everyone at Ibrox." Rangers manager Walter Smith has made several changes since the last Champions League group campaign two seasons ago. He has added the likes of Madjid Bougherra, Steve Davis, Kyle Lafferty and Mendes to the squad. And the Portuguese cap believes the return to fitness of midfield sidekick Kevin Thomson will be like a new signing. Mendes added: "When Thommo got injured last season he was having his best spell. He was playing some terrific stuff at that time. "Hopefully his confidence will now come back. It can take some time to build that up again after such a long time out. "It will be great for Rangers to get him back as the player he was before the injury, or maybe even better." Smith pitched Mendes, Thomson and Davis into a new-look three-man midfield for part of The Emirates Cup. And Mendes reckons it was a worthwhile experiment as the SPL champions plot the title defence and prepare for a tilt at Europe. He said: "The 4-3-3 system gives us a little more space to play and it's great for me and Davo to have a more defensive midfield player behind us. "That gives us more freedom to get forward." http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2569471/I-cherish-those-big-nights-in-Europe.html