McLeish welcomes draw

UEFA CUP Rangers get it easier

Rangers manager Alex McLeish has cautiously welcomed the Uefa group draw that places his side against Auxerre, Grazer, Amica Wronki and AZ Alkmaar.

"We have to think that the draw could have been tougher with some of the names that were in there," he said.

"There were one or two crackers, like Schalke, who Hearts have drawn.

"I know people will say we can progress, but they are all decent sides and we cannot disrespect anybody at all in Europe."

Rangers struggled to overcome Portuguese side Maritimo in a penalty shoot-out last week to qualify for the group stage.

"But we are delighted to be at this stage of the competition and we'd love to think we can progress," said McLeish.

"I saw Graz in the summer when we were training in that part of Austria. They played Roma a few days before us.

"AZ Alkmaar are an emerging club over the last couple of years.

"We had a few of their technical staff over last year and good things are happening there.

"We know about Auxerre, although there is still a bit of knowledge to be had on Wronki."