Champions League: Steven Davis prepared for uphill struggle

Malmo take a 1-0 advantage into next week's second leg in Sweden thanks to a Daniel Larsson strike at Ibrox last night.

Davis told BBC Scotland: "We've given ourselves an uphill struggle.

"If you go a goal behind, it gives them something to hold on to.

"In the second half they sat back and we had a lot of possession and created a few chances but it wasn't to be.

"Obviously it was not the result we were looking for and everybody's disappointed.

"But we'll go over there and try to progress. If we get a goal then everything looks a bit brighter.

"The good thing is that we created a few chances, so we need to take them in the second leg."

Malmo's domestic campaign is well under way, while Rangers' only other competitive match so far was last week's 1-1 draw with Hearts in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

But Davis refused to blame their poor showing on lack of match action.

The Northern Ireland international added: "I think that's the easy option to take and we're not going to use that as an excuse.

"But we will get stronger as the games go on."