Heat causing concern for Rangers' European prospects

The Montenegrin side were shock winners against FBK Kaunas of Lithuania in the first qualifying round and startled the Rangers assistant manager with their refusal to concede to opponents, who, at one stage, appeared to be cruising through to the next round. Kaunas had turned the tie around by racing into a 3-0 lead after just 20 minutes of the second leg, giving them a 4-3 advantage, but Zeta replied with two vital goals to stun the team sponsored by Hearts majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov's bank.

But, while Zeta are an ambitious team, the oppressive temperatures in Montenegro, which McCoist experienced for himself on a scouting mission in the first leg, are just as significant a hurdle for Rangers to overcome.

The Scottish giants have the Ibrox leg first, next Tuesday, and line up in Montenegro on 7 August. McCoist said: "The one thing we can guarantee is they will never lie down and give in, because to come back and get through was a fantastic result. The heat over in Montenegro was a major factor. It was very, very, very warm. I think it will be quite a big factor because it was absolutely sweltering in Montenegro when I was over there."

But the former Rangers striker is convinced Walter Smith's side can clear their first hurdle in Europe, although he is taking nothing for granted.

McCoist added: "I'm very hopeful we can get through but we'll treat them with the respect they deserve for getting through. It'll be a tough game. I'm struggling to believe they're in the next round. I was at the first game, they (Kaunas) were beaten 3-1 and I thought they were robbed. They had a man sent off for a professional foul, lost a goal, missed one or two chances, and I thought they were unlucky to be beaten 3-1.

"I'm struggling to tell you how they got through because Kaunas should have won the game. They were three up after 20 minutes, missed a penalty and went absolutely crazy."

McCoist believes the inaugural Montenegrin league champions are a special breed of team, whose new domestic supremacy has nurtured confidence.

He said: "They're comfortable on the ball, they have got a couple of midfielders that are tidy, they have got a couple of lads up front - one especially - who's quite nippy and will run at people and take people on.

"They certainly pose us problems, there's no doubt about that. I don't think there's any fear among Zeta players. I looked at the side beforehand and I thought they might have a problem being so young.

"But the fact they went 3-0 down and came back, I don't think they had any fear at all and it was credit to their self-belief and ability that they made it into the third round."