Rangers need to repeat 2008 form to beat Sporting Lisbon again - Walter Smith

WALTER Smith believes Rangers will have to replicate the impressive form which took them all the way to the UEFA Cup final if they are to progress past Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League.

• Walter Smith enjoyed his last visit to Lisbon in 2008

The Scottish champions were paired with the Portuguese outfit in today's draw for the last 32 of the competition, with Lille or PSV Eindhoven waiting in the next round if they advance.

Rangers defeated Sporting at the quarter-final stage in 2008 and got as far as the final in Manchester where they were beaten by Zenit St Petersburg.

Smith said: "We know we will face two really tough games because they are playing well at the moment and we had to play well to win there last time out.

"We played some good football against them across the two legs and we will really have to repeat those kinds of levels to have success in the Europa League.

"Of course Pedro Mendes is there so we know the quality of player that we will face."

Like the last time the two clubs met, Rangers play the first leg in front of their own fans at Ibrox and Smith is hoping to claim an early advantage in the tie.

He added: "We've got good experience now in European competitions and we'll need to use that to handle the situations.

"You can use every element to your advantage and we can try to do that with having the first leg at home.

"There is plenty of time between now and the games so we will have them watched closely and will know what we are up against."

After a goalless draw in Glasgow, Jean-Claude Darcheville opened the scoring in the return leg in the Jose Alvalade Stadium the last time around.