A 24-hour fast on the eve of a big match is unlikely to appear in any European coaching manual but that is exactly how the players of Beitar of Jerusalem prepared yesterday before their UEFA Cup return leg against Rangers at Ibrox tonight. The Israelis were observing the strictures of Yom Kippur, one of the most sacred days in the Jewish calendar.

Having drawn 1-1 with the Scottish side at home, such deprivation was probably the last thing they needed but their captain and most celebrated player, Eli Ohana, dismissed it as an irrelevance.

"We do it every year and we know how to handle it," said Ohana. "We know precisely what to eat when it is over to ensure that we quickly regain our strength and sharpness."

All of that is likely to be needed in front of a full house, although Rangers coach Dick Advocaat does not expect the visitors to be intimidated by atmosphere.

"They are very experienced and durable guys," said Advocaat. "There are eight internationals in their team so they're not going to be bothered by the crowd. We have to make sure they are bothered by our play."

Advocaat cannot call on the Argentinian forward Gabriel Amato, who is to have his troublesome knee scanned. Amato has struggled to make an impact since he signed from Real Mallorca for £4 million in the summer and the coach believes the injury may be to blame.

"I don't think it will prove to be serious," said Advocaat, "but we'd like to know exactly what the problem is. Because of the number of games we had on the schedule very early, we really asked Amato to do too much too soon in training and I think that's caused the trouble.'

Advocaat will probably continue with the Swede Jonatan Johansson, who scored at Dunfermline on Saturday, and Rod Wallace in attack but the Scotland defender Colin Hendry will be a substitute at best.