Walter's Werder Warning

Mar 2 2008 By Euan Mclean

RANGERS boss Walter Smith reckons this week's UEFA Cup clash with Werder Bremen will be harder than some of their Champions League showdowns.

The Ibrox boss rates Bremen higher than Bundesliga champions Stuttgart whom Gers faced in a Champions League group of death alongside Barcelona and Lyon.

But finishing third ahead of Stuttgart to seal a UEFA Cup spot gives Smith no psychological edge ahead of Thursday's first leg against Thomas Schaaf's side at Ibrox.

He said: "We have already played Germany's champions but Bremen have been more consistent in the last few years.

"Even last season they will feel they were the team, along with Schalke, who let the title slip away.

"They will be every bit as good if not better than Stuttgart. Werder are among the better teams in Europe and Diego is one of the best midfielders around.

"How we handle him will be important because he has a big influence. Diego has ability and a good attitude.

"He's a team player who doesn't mind getting involved in the dirtier bits of the game.

"He's probably a little more industrious than the likes of Juninho at Lyon.

"Diego has scored some spectacular goals too. He netted from inside his own half last season."

That wonder strike was a 68-yard stunner in a 3-1 win over Aachen in April.

With that kind of goal threat it will be no surprise to see Smith adopt the usual cautious 4-5-1 formation at Ibrox.

The emphasis will be on keeping a clean sheet and veteran defender Davie Weir will again be a key man. The 37-year-old and skipper Barry Ferguson have played almost 50 games this season but Gers' elder statesmen haven't asked their gaffer for a rest.

Smith said: "Barry seems to be thriving on having so many games. His ankle is giving him a bit of trouble but he has been remarkably consistent.

"Even Davie says he wants to keep playing. That's a situation I wouldn't really have envisaged but he's showing no sign of wanting a rest."

Walter's strikers have been less of a fixture with injuries, form and tactics forcing the gaffer to rotate.

Jean-Claude Darcheville misses the game through a suspension but will be available for the return leg in Bremen - if he can shake off a persistent hamstring injury.

Smith said: "None of the forwards has been over-played. But even when they are missing games they're coming back in and scoring.

"Darcheville is a little conscious of his hamstring and feels a strain. I've told him if he feels it to flag it up.

"It's important to keep him right because Jean-Claude is a big player for us."