Jens Lehmann would feel all of his 40 years facing Wilson

Published on Monday 23 November 2009 22:57

JENS Lehmann will have mixed emotions if he sees Danny Wilson in the Rangers line-up at Ibrox tonight. For while the VfB Stuttgart goalkeeper admits the presence of the young defender will make him feel every one of his 40 years, he believes it will enhance the prospects of the German side achieving the win they need to boost their hopes of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League.

Madjid Bougherra scored Rangers' equaliser against Stuttgart in the Mercedez-Benz Arena on matchday one of Group G but his involvement this evening is in doubt following his late return from international duty with Algeria.

While Rangers manager Walter Smith has expressed full confidence in 17-year-old Wilson's readiness for tonight's must-win assignment, the view from the German camp is that he would be doing them a favour.

"Of course, if Bougherra doesn't play it is good news for us," said Lehmann. "He is one of Rangers' best and most experienced players. It would be strange for me to play against someone who is 17. My own son is 13, not much younger than Wilson. I suppose because I have played on so long in my career this can happen to me. But I must say it is a compliment for him that he has been picked for such a big club like Rangers."

Stuttgart coach Markus Babbel, under significant pressure after a run of seven Bundesliga matches without a victory which has dropped his team into the relegation zone, is equally keen to see Bougherra remain on the sidelines.

"He is a fantastic player," said Babbel. "He scored against us in the first match and is very strong at the back. If he does not play on Tuesday night, then it is clearly not bad for us."

At the other end of the age scale, meanwhile, Lehmann will have more empathy tonight with Rangers captain David Weir who is just six months younger than the former Arsenal goalkeeper.

"I must say it is very impressive that Weir is still playing," said Lehmann. "It is easier for me to play on as a goalkeeper at my age. I only have to react to situations. As an outfield player, he still has to chase younger and quicker people. I will have to ask him how he does it. I know for sure this is my last season. My body says I can go on, but my mind says enough is enough, so I plan to retire."

Not before helping Stuttgart progress to the knockout stage of the Champions League, however, as Lehmann seeks a fitting swansong to his illustrious career.

"The Champions League is the best competition in the world as far as I'm concerned," he said. "It is more important that the World Cup or European Championship. I am still optimistic we can qualify for the next phase.

"Rangers are under more pressure than us, they need to come out and try to win the game more than we do. We have faced a lot of defensive teams recently, so this could be better for us. I have played at Ibrox twice before, for Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal, and it is always a great atmosphere."

Babbel, who is without Swiss defender Ludovic Magnin and German midfielder Sami Khedira, was bullish in his assessment that Stuttgart will earn the win at Ibrox which would eliminate Rangers from further European competition this season.

"I'm very confident about the game," said Babbel. "We are not under pressure, Rangers are, and we can play our style of football. We know Rangers are strong physically and mentally, but I think we are ready to fight for all three points."