Brazilian ace poses Ibrox threat

By Colin Moffat

Liedson is the main danger man for Sporting Lisbon

Rangers have been warned to keep a close eye on Brazilian striker Liedson when Sporting Lisbon visit Ibrox for the first leg of their Uefa Cup quarter-final on Thursday.

The 30-year-old is back from injury and has netted four goals in Sporting's last two league outings.

"Liedson is one of the most spectacular centre-forwards to have played in Portugal in the last 10 years," David Carvalho, from Portuguese radio station TSF, told BBC Sport.

"Rangers must pay attention because he is very fast and he is a prolific goal-scorer."

Liedson da Silva Muniz, to give him his full name, has topped the Portuguese scoring charts in two of the four seasons he has completed with Sporting.

No mean feat when you consider Porto have been the dominant domestic force in recent times.

Indeed, Porto can wrap up their fifth title in six years at the weekend, with Sporting 20 points off the pace in fourth place.

"Fourth is not good enough for the club that made Luis Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Quaresma - even Jorge Cadete, who Celtic fans will remember well," added Carvalho.

But Rangers' opponents have found their scoring touch lately, finding the net eight times in their last two league matches - either side of losing the inaugural Portuguese League Cup to Vitoria Setubal on penalties after a goalless draw.

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Sunday's 4-1 win at Naval was just Sporting's third away success in the league and Carvalho described it as "one of their most convincing displays this season".

On the road in Europe has been a mixed bag for manager Paulo Bento and his team.

They finished behind Manchester United and Roma in Champions League Group F but scored in every away game, including a 2-1 win at Dynamo Kiev.

Since entering the Uefa Cup, Sporting have continued to score on their travels, beating Basel 3-0 and holding Bolton 1-1 in the away legs.

Sporting, like Rangers, have one European trophy to their name, winning the old Cup Winners' Cup in 1964, eight years before the Ibrox team lifted the same trophy.

They reached the Uefa Cup final in 2005 but lost out 3-1 to CSKA Moscow, despite opening the scoring.

It will be an inexperienced side Bento, now in his third season in charge, brings to Ibrox, including goalkeeper Rui Patricio, who is just 20.

The dynamic Vukcevic is a goal-threat from midfield

Serbian international Vladimir Stojkovic has been dropped and has been vocal about his displeasure.

"The problem with Stojkovic is that he talks too much," said Carvalho. "He says he is the best in Europe, which is maybe out of hand.

"Patricio is a youngster from the academy but he has been playing very well."

The 22-year-old Montenegrin international Simon Vukcevic, described as "quick and dangerous" by Carvalho, is likely to support Liedson from an advanced midfield role.

And Miguel Luis Pinto Veloso, 21, is another emerging midfield talent.

"With Liedson, Sporting will be confident about scoring in Glasgow but they know Rangers will not be easy," added Carvalho.

"I think they will look to take a draw and settle the match at the Estadio Jose Alvalade."

Bento has cut a disgruntled figure during a frustrating campaign and has made noises about leaving the club he played for as a tough-tackling defensive midfielder.

Carvalho thinks the manager will stay on but it could be a different story for Liedson.

The striker has been strongly linked with a summer move to Spanish side Sevilla.

Rangers fans will be hoping the Brazilian doesn't get the chance to finish his Sporting career at the City of Manchester Stadium, the venue for this year's Uefa Cup final.

* You can listen to the match live on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound, with kick off at 1945 BST - commentary also available online (UK only)