Rangers manager Dick Advocaat sends his Treble winners into Champions League combat today believing they are better prepared for success this time around.

Twelve months ago, Advocaat's tenure as Ibrox coach got off to the worst possible start as his team went 3-0 down in a UEFA Cup tie against Shelbourne.

Rangers eventually emerged with a 5-3 victory but one year on, Advocaat will have a clear indication of how far he has taken his side when they tackle Finnish champions FC Haka in the second qualifying round of the Champions League.

The first-leg clash has already been overshadowed to some extent by the third qualifying round draw which pits the winners of this contest against Parma next month. But, although the difficulty of that task has punctured their optimism, Advocaat is aware of the embarrassment defeat at this point would bring.

Haka, clear leaders of the Finnish championship race as they go for back-to-back titles, have an English coach in Keith Armstrong and an English midfield player in former Manchester United player David Wilson.