Lyon boss labels Gers favourites

Perrin fears the backing of the Rangers support will be vital

Champions League, Group E
Date: Wednesday, 12 December
Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Venue: Ibrox Stadium
Listen: BBC Radio Scotland 810MW, BBC Radio 5 Live
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Lyon coach Alain Perrin insists Rangers are clear favourites to join Group E winners Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League.

A draw would allow Rangers to qualify for the coveted knock-out stages of the tournament while Lyon must defeat the Scottish side at Ibrox on Wednesday.

"I think the pressure is on us," Perrin said.

"They are better placed, they only need a draw and they have their supporters behind them."

With the backing of a capacity crowd at Ibrox, confidence is high within the Rangers camp of claiming at least a point to secure their passage to the last 16 where they would join Old Firm rivals Celtic.

Perrin says that the prospect of returning home empty-handed is not one that would be welcomed by the French public.

"We are going to have to have real drive. Normally, we qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League but, this time, Rangers are the favourites.

Normally, we qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League but, this time, Rangers are the favourites Lyon coach Alain Perrin

"It's not a Cup final but it's a decisive match," Perrin added.

"Rangers have the advantage and they are going to try to attack us so we will have to be careful.

"There is always an obligation to get results. The supporters expect this and it's important because of the value the team has in the French league."

Lyon suffered an early scare ahead of the match when striker Kader Keita was initially denied entry to Scotland.

There were concerns that the 26-year-old from the Ivory Coast would have to return to France.

But he was eventually granted an emergency visa by immigration officials at Glasgow Airport.

The French club's other players and officials refused to comment on their arrival.

But Lyon coach Alain Perrin had earlier warned Rangers manager Walter Smith not to read too much into his French spying mission.

Smith took advantage of a free weekend by watching Wednesday's Champions League rivals lose 1-0 at Caen.

Perrin rested some key players and told his club website: "The match in Glasgow was weighing on the minds of many.

"Some players were perhaps conserving energy. We will have to deliver an enormous game there."

The teams are locked on seven points each, but Rangers enjoy a better head-to-head record after their fantastic 3-0 win in the Stade Gerland.

So a draw would not be enough for the French league leaders to finish second in Group E.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to the comments from the Lyon camp

Rangers got their Sunday clash against Gretna postponed while a similar request by Lyon over their long trip to Normandy on Saturday night was rejected.

Perrin left out Italian World Cup winner Fabio Grosso and restricted key players Juninho and Sidney Govou to second-half substitute appearances.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said: "We wanted to prepare the team for Glasgow by rotating it, but it did not end as we wanted it to.

"We had no injuries and that's important because the most crucial game is the Glasgow game. Glasgow will be favourites.

"They will have the pressure, they will be playing at home in a vibrant stadium and they crushed us in the first game."

But Aulas suggested that Scotland's last-gasp failure to reach the European Championship finals will work against Rangers.

Lee McCulloch, Kris Boyd, Barry Ferguson, Davie Weir and Alan Hutton all played as the Scots lost 2-1 to Italy to end their Euro 2008 dream, despite previously beating France home and away.

And, although Aulas rates Rangers as favourites, he believes Group E will end in similar heartbreak for the Scots.

"Personally, I am convinced we will do what we have to do," he said.

"Scotland lost to Italy at home and I am sure that incident will have an impact on them."