|
Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist says his players are ready to take the Uefa Cup back to Glasgow, reports BBC.
The Ibrox side take on Zenit St Petersburg in Wednesday's showpiece final in Manchester and McCoist hopes the Russians can be overcome.
"It's going to be a wonderful, wonderful occasion, and I just really pray we can bring the cup home for them," he told the club website.
"Everyone I've been speaking to is coming down and looking forward to it."
Rangers have already taken part in 18 European ties this season in both the Champions League and Uefa Cup, and McCoist expects the 19th match will be the highlight.
That is despite the club being criticised for the style with which they have made it to the final, at the City of Manchester Stadium.
"I don't let things like that bother me - people saying they don't like our style of play, all that stuff," said McCoist.
"I find it quite amusing. Just to take the cup back would be wonderful.
"That's why we're here, that's why we've been on this wonderful journey, and there's no use coming on this journey if we don't have a nice happy ending - we want a happy ending.
"I've no doubt the players will be ready for kick-off, but the excitement is certainly beginning to mount already."
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Neil Alexander has revealed that he has already been preparing for a penalty shoot-out.
The former Cardiff City number one - who has proved an able deputy for the injured Allan McGregor - and striker Nacho Novo were the spot-kick heroes when Rangers dispatched Fiorentina in the semi-final.
"It has already entered my head and obviously saving a penalty to win the cup would be the best thing in my career," he said.
"It would be an unbelievable experience for me - and would make me very popular with the Rangers fans," said Alexander.
"When it comes to penalties, it's a bit of a lottery and it can go either way."
Rangers defender Carlos Cuellar says he is relishing the added pressure of pursuing domestic and European honours as the season draws to a close.
"You don't have a minute to rest," said the 26-year-old former Osasuna player.
"In eight months I think I've played close to 70 games. In Spain, you normally play 38 or 40 games at most.
"It's tough physically and mentally, but it's what we want as players - to be playing in big games and have the pressure on us."
Cuellar, who has been in outsanding form this season, said he was determined to win the final.
"We'll go out there to win it, it's our obligation," he said.
"This will be something historic, important and beautiful for this club. We have to win it."
|
News 
RSS