Maritimo v Rangers Funchal, Madeira Kick-off: 8.00Rangers manager Alex McLeish has promised the fans that the good times are not far away - and called upon the senior players to make sure they are delivered quickly. McLeish is a man under pressure following a disappointing start to the season that has already seen failure to reach the Champions League, while Celtic have established a seven-point lead in the league.

The onus is on them to reach the UEFA Cup's new group stage, which they will if they overcome Portuguese outfit Maritimo in the knockout first round. The first leg is in Funchal on the island of Madeira and McLeish was adamant his under-achieving squad was about to come good.

He said: "We have players who have played in the Champions League like Dado Prso, who went all the way to the final last year. Stefan Klos has been there, Dragan Mladenovic has been a late developer playing for his national team and guys like Shota Arveladze have been there with Ajax.

"So we are really looking to the senior players, the Craig Moore's of this world, to take the lead tomorrow night. There is nothing like a European run to whet a player's appetite. We know that the Scottish teams have badly missed being a force in European football and we would certainly like to make a mark in this competition.

Midfielder Alex Rae and right back Alan Hutton are missing through injury, although Rae would have been suspended anyway. Paolo Vanoli is a doubt having picked up a knee injury at Tynecastle.