Brahim: Euro Run Wouldn't Hem My Pals In

Feb 10 2008 By Michael Baillie

BRAHIM HEMDANI insists a prolonged run in the UEFA Cup won't derail Rangers' domestic ambitions.

The Ibrox side step back on to the European stage on Wednesday when they face Panathinaikos in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup.

It will be the first of eight games crammed into 25 days for Walter Smith's team as they compete on four fronts. But while wrestleing the SPL title back from Celtic remains the priority Hemdani is confident Europe won't distract the team from clinching silverware.

He said: "The league is the most important thing because we are in a better situation than last year and have a great chance to do something. TheUEFACup is also important as you have great emotions when you play such games and we are determined to go as far as we can.

"But I don't think it's a concern that the UEFA Cup will impact on our league hopes.We have a big squad here and everyone is ready to play.

"We also have a final to play in March against Dundee United and it'll be great if we can win a trophy, the first for three years.

"Two years is too much for this club to go without winning something and we have to change that situation."

Hemdani, who led Marseille to the UEFA Cup Final in 2004 against Valencia, admits the competition is only a small consolation for failing to make the last 16 of the Champions League.

And the 29-year-old midfielder revealed it took him three weeks to get over the pain of losing 3-0 to Lyon in December.

The Ibrox defeat ended Rangers' Champions League hopes and Hemdani said: "It took two or three weeks to get over the disappointment.

"It was a great opportunity for us to go through but we missed it.

"It wasn't easy to recover after that. But since the beginning of January we've had a good run of victories which has helped with the confidence. Nowwe are ready to play Panathinaikos.

"For me the UEFA Cup is not a good consolation as you want to play at the top and the Champions League is the highest level.

"But the UEFA Cup is still a big tournament and we have a chance to do well in it."

Hemdani was linked with a move to Middlesbrough and Reading during the transfer window but says he never considered leaving.

He said: "There was a lot of speculation in January, like last summer, I don't know why it's like that. I'm still here andwill be here