Driven Rangers eye up Valencia scalp
Alistair Watson
Maurice Edu says a desire to prove their doubters wrong is driving
Rangers on as they aim to continue their unbeaten start to their
Champions League campaign when they face Valencia at Ibrox on Wednesday.
The Glasgow giants sit joint top of Group C having picked up four
points from their opening two fixtures.
Walter Smith's men followed up a goalless draw with Manchester United
at Old Trafford by collecting their first Champions League win in nearly
three years when they defeated Bursaspor at Ibrox three weeks ago.
Competition
It is a vast improvement from last season's appearance in Europe's
elite competition when Rangers collected just two points and lost all
three home games. And American midfielder Edu says his teammates are
happy to silence the critics with their impressive start to Group C.
``When the Champions League draw was made I know a lot of people
counted us out but with the squad we have, I felt it was possible to do
something special. So far, we're on track," Edu said.
``We're in a good position and it would be foolish to get too far
ahead of ourselves but we have belief and know what we're capable of
achieving.
Kick off
"We need to be that way and you can't go into games counting yourself
out before kick-off.
"If we stick together and stay united, the potential is there for
something special in the Champions League this season." The absence of
Lee McCulloch through injury means Edu is likely to get the nod to start
against Valencia in the centre of midfield.
And the American says he is ready for the challenge having missed
last season's European campaign due to a knee injury.
``Having played a few games for USA recently and most of the games
for Rangers this season, I feel like I'm ready for it," the midfielder
said.
Big test
It'll be a big test against Valencia but we'll all be up for it at
Ibrox. We're in a good position in the Champions League and we want to
keep that going.
"To get a win at the end of last month - something which we hadn't
done for a while in Europe - was special and the fans enjoyed it.
GLASGOW, Tuesday AFP
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