European ties give Foster belief

Richard Foster admits the European platform has been an important part of proving he is good enough to play for Rangers.

Foster's loan move from Aberdeen in August came as a surprise to Rangers fans but he has played an integral role in the club's run to the last 16 of the Europa League, via a respectable Champions League campaign. Foster is likely to start against PSV Eindhoven at Ibrox tonight as Rangers look to build on their goalless first leg.

"I realised when I came here there would be a few people who would be quite sceptical because of where I came from," the full-back said.

"But that was something I couldn't dwell on because I would never have managed to get in the team, never mind perform quite well. So it was just about me showing I was good enough to play in the Rangers team first and foremost.

"To play in the Champions League was definitely a bonus, but I think I equipped myself quite well so in that sense I'm happy with the way I've been playing."

Foster arrived on a loan swap deal that saw former Hearts striker Andrius Velicka go the other way. Rangers definitely got the better deal as Velicka barely played for the Dons amid fitness problems before being released in January.

Foster is due to return to Pittodrie in the summer and he refused to speculate on whether he thought he had given Ally McCoist a decision to make about a permanent deal when the assistant manager succeeds Walter Smith. "I'm not going to comment. I don't think it's fair to either club," he said.