Red Star boss Dejan Stankovic expects a tight tie against Rangers - but feels his side can go on and lift the trophy if they emerge victorious.
The Serbian giants visit Glasgow this week for the first leg of the Europa League last 16 tie, the first meeting between the two sides since 2007.
It was a close one on that occasion, with Red Star going going down 1-0 at Ibrox before drawing 0-0 back in Belgrade.
And Stankovic is expecting a similarly tight contest when the teams renew hostilities.
He said: "The Europa League has shown it's a competition that is full of surprises. I think whoever wins it this season will be an unexpected one. Hopefully, it is us.
"We respect Rangers. They are a very strong team, who are physically quick and who have been together for a long time.
"It will be a difficult game in Glasgow, but believe me we are ready for it.
"I believe it will take two games to separate the clubs because we are similar. The away goal doesn't matter on Thursday.
"This is the kind of game that Red Star Belgrade deserves. The Marakana will be fantastic when Rangers visit.
"We could have drawn harder teams than Rangers. I am an optimist and I believe we can defeat them and go a long way in the Europa League. I think it's a competition that is tailored for us.
"Of course we wanted to play in the Champions League, but I like the Europa League.
"I am really pleased with how we are playing right now. The derby against Partizan took a lot out of us both physically and mentally.
"So I was worried about our next two matches, but I picked the strongest possible team and we won them both easily.
"We are back in the title race and I can say to Partizan Belgrade and to Rangers that as the season goes on, we are getting better and better."
And Stankovic has backed his club's appeal for foreign refs to be flown into Serbia to officiate big matches after Red Star Belgrade made an official complaint about a match-winning penalty awarded to Partizan Belgrade in their weekend game.
He said: "It was never a penalty. I was surprised it was given because the referee is a good one.
"I agree with what the club has said and we move on. At the moment I am only concentrating on Rangers."
