Rangers confidence high for Barcelona clash

Rangers and Barcelona approach their Champions League clash at Ibrox on Tuesday in different frames of mind after experiencing contrasting fortunes on the domestic front at the weekend.

Rangers returned to the top of the SPL when they overpowered arch rivals Celtic 3-0 in the Old Firm game on Saturday, while Barcelona were left licking their wounds after they suffered their first defeat of the season at Villarreal.

Walter Smith's side have surprised many with their perfect start to their Champions League campaign, winning 2-1 at home to VfB Stuttgart and then crushing Olympique Lyon 3-0 away in their second match in Group E.

Midfielder Charlie Adam believes their emphatic win over Celtic, which came courtesy of a double from Spanish striker Nacho Novo and a strike from skipper Barry Ferguson, provided the team with the perfect boost ahead of the game against Barcelona.

"It's a great result for the players, the management and the fans and sets us up nicely for our massive Champions League match on Tuesday," Adam told the club's Web site.

Barcelona also have a 100 percent record in Europe, racking up a 3-0 win at home to Lyon and a 2-0 victory in Stuttgart, but their 3-1 defeat at Villarreal, which saw them slip to fourth in the table, has provided cause for concern ahead of the Rangers match.

The Catalans were 2-0 down inside the first 15 minutes and although they pulled a goal back through youngster Bojan Krkic they conceded a third before the break and were unable to manufacture a comeback in the second half.

"We lacked sharpness in the first 15 minutes and once we went 2-0 down I knew we were going to suffer," said coach Frank Rijkaard.

"Villarreal deserved to win, they were stronger and more aggressive in every aspect of the game. We played badly in terms of creation and we didn't have the power to win the ball back from them."

Rijkaard's concerns have been compounded by an injury to Portugal midfielder Deco who hobbled off late in the game with a thigh injury and is expected to be out for at least a month.

With the club's other midfield enforcers Yaya Toure, Edmilson and Rafael Marquez all out injured, Rijkaard may have to call on youth teamer Marc Crosas or push Eidur Gudjohnsen back into midfield for Tuesday's game.

One of the few bright spots in the defeat was Krkic's performance.

The 17-year-old became the youngest player to score for Barcelona in the league with his classy first-half strike, but he is likely to be replaced by Ronaldinho in the starting line-up after the Brazilian sat out Saturday's game.

Probable teams:

Rangers:

1-Allan McGregor, 2-Alan Hutton, 3-David Weir, 24-Carlos Cuellar, 5-Sasa Papac, 27-Lee McCulloch, 6-Barry Ferguson, 20-DaMarcus Beasley, 11-Charlie Adam, 19-Jean Claude Darcheville, 29-Daniel Cousin.

Barcelona: 1-Victor Valdes, 21-Lilian Thuram, 5-Carles Puyol, 3-Gabriel Milito, 22-Eric Abidal, 8-Andres Iniesta, 26-Marc Crosas or 7-Eidur Gudjohnsen, 6-Xavi, 10-Ronaldinho, 19-Lionel Messi, 14-Thierry Henry.

Referee: Konrad Plautz (Austria).