Sevilla coach Manuel Jimenez was keen to play down an injury crisis ahead of
tomorrow night's Champions League clash with Rangers and insisted he had every
confidence in his players to win their group.

While Rangers' European adventure this season will end regardless of the result,
the Spaniards need at least a draw against the Scottish champions in Spain to
ensure they top Group G.

"First place in the group seemed close when we won the first three matches.
But we have lost our way in the group in the last two matches," said Jimenez.

"But I am confident that tomorrow we will finish first in the group by winning
the match.

"I'd also like to express my thanks to the players who have pretty much been
playing unchanged for the last month, with some of them carrying knocks."

The biggest blow ahead of the match is the loss of Brazil striker Luis Fabiano,
who has been ruled out for three weeks with a foot injury sustained at the
weekend.

But Jimenez insists there are others who can fill the void.

He said: "I have no doubts about the ability of Negredo, Kanoute or Renato to
score goals.

"Recently, we were lauded as having the best forward line in Spain; we are
still creating chances. I'm sure we will start scoring goals soon."

Two points from their previous five games - both garnered on the road against
Stuttgart and Unirea Urziceni - mean Rangers head into the game without even
a Europa League berth at stake.

But boss Walter Smith insists his players will be determined to end what has
been a disappointing campaign on a high by earning their first win of the season
in Europe's premier club competition.

"It's a matter of pride now," he said.

"We haven't played well enough in the section to be involved in the final game
now and it's just a matter of us trying to salvage a little pride."

There is also the issue of cash for the club should Rangers claim three points
against the group leaders in Spain.

Smith added: "It's obviously a factor for anyone in any occasion. But the main
thing for us that we try to acquit ourselves in a better manner than we have
done, especially in the home game at Ibrox."

Rangers played well for a large spell against the Spaniards in Glasgow before
a second-half collapse saw them slump to a demoralising 4-1 defeat.

"For an hour of the game, we played very well," recalled the Rangers boss.

"After Sevilla scored the first goal, we had to chase the game and that left
us open and eventually we lost quite heavily.

"We would hope with the situation we are in just now we wouldn't be losing early
goals and having to chase the game away from home.

"We would like to think we could keep the game tight and make sure the scoreline
is different one from the one we had at Ibrox."

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