UEFA Cup: Rangers Face Fiorentina Test

The second leg's of this seasons UEFA Cup semi finals take place on Thursday night, with four teams still looking for European glory.

Rangers travel to Florence where they'll renew their battle with Fiorentina. The sides drew last weeks clash, 0-0 at Ibrox.

The result probably favoured both sides as the Scots fielded a depleted side and Fiorentina were always going to be happy not losing in Glasgow.

The Gers have one major injury concern going into the second leg. David Weir had originally been ruled out with a groin problem but mumblings from Murray Park suggest he may well still feature tomorrow night.

Sunday's 3-2 Old Firm defeat, their second loss to Celtic in 10 days, will effect the players in some way.

The question is, will they roll over at this late stage in the season or will they pick themselves up and come out fighting in Florence?

I predict the latter!

Fiorentina remain confident about their chances of beating Rangers at home. Viola ace, Riccardo Monolivio told the Daily Record "We must explode from the first moment against Rangers. We must put everything into the match."

His team mate Marco Donadel told Sky Sports "We need to go into the game with the same mentality as in Eindhoven (2-0 win), giving all we have right from the start, making Rangers aware that it is going to be difficult for them."

This will be an incredibly interesting tie with Rangers looking for a repeat of their glory in Lisbon, where they won 2-0 and Fiorentina trying to please their home fans.

I shall stick my neck out and say, Rangers on away goals!

The other clash will be an early kick off in Russia between Zenit St Petersburg and Bayern Munich.

Zenit have been in the spot light this week for the wrong reasons after the racist nature of their fans was revealed to the world by their coach Dick Advocaat. They'll be looking to put that behind them as they entertain the German giants.

Bayern travel knowing they have it all to do after last weeks 1-1 draw in Munich. Zenit are ahead on away goals but as Bayern will tell you, so were Getafe, time and time again, but they never gave up.

It should be a cracking tie but I'm going to go with Bayern Munich. After all someone has to back the favourites.

Anyway as a Rangers man, I'd like the Germans in Manchester!