Romanov drills his Kaunas players to put one over on Rangers

Published on Monday 28 July 2008 10:54

HEARTS owner Vladimir Romanov has met with the Kaunas players in a bid to fire them up for this week's Champions League clash with Rangers.

The Lithuanian side, which Romanov has a major interest in, meet Walter Smith's side in the second qualifying round at Ibrox on Wednesday night and the banker's dislike for the Old Firm has been well documented. He has been outspoken against both Rangers and Celtic and Kaunas skipper Nerijus Radzius revealed that the Jambos chief would love to see his side put one over on the Govan side.

He said: "We have been speaking about the game and Mr Romanov says we will need to be very good to beat Rangers. I think he wants Kaunas to do well in the matches and hopes we play well against them. We will try for him. I am looking forward to the game. I think our chances of qualifying are 50-50 as Rangers are a good team."

Rangers' bid to reach the Champions League group stages have been hampered by the news that Carlos Cuellar will miss the game against the Lithuanian side. The Spaniard limped out of his side's 2-1 friendly win over Raith Rovers at the weekend after suffering a calf strain and the defender will join skipper Barry Ferguson on the sidelines for Wednesday's clash.

Charlie Adam is one of Walter Smith's options to be called into action in Ferguson's absence and he believes that, whoever comes in to replace the duo, will be more than capable of doing a job for Rangers.

While admitting Ferguson and Cuellar will be missed, the midfielder said: "The two of them are very big players for us but whoever comes in will be ready for it. There are a lot of boys looking to play."