SERBIAN shock troops FK TSC's president has declared he is desperate to be drawn against Rangers in their first ever Champions League campaign.
Rangers will go into the third qualifying round of the competition and little-known Serbian side FK TSC are one of the opponents who could face Michael Beale's side, who are seeded.
The tiny club from Backa Topola with a 4,500 stadium stunned Serbian football this season by finishing ahead of Partizan Belgrade in second spot.
They were languishing in the Serbian second tier just a couple of years ago and are now set for their first ever Champions League campaign and only their second European adventure.
And the club's president, Janos Zemberi, is desperate for a trip to Ibrox.
He said: "If I could choose my dream opponents in the draw, it would be to play against Rangers.
"My good friend Gordan Petric used to play there and I like everything that Rangers stand for and the values they have.
"I am a fan of the club and Glasgow is a nice city.
"Rangers are stronger than Marseille, PSV Eindhoven or Braga, who we could also play.
"But with a few reinforcements and the motivation we have, I am confident we would have a chance.
"And let's not forget Celtic have faltered many times at this stage of the competition, so who knows, maybe we can create a surprise.
"Look, we have a budget that's ten times smaller than Red Star Belgrade and five times smaller than Partizan Belgrade, so we are used to playing teams with far greater budgets than us.
"So all our potential rivals will be bigger and have tradition and experience on their side. But we won't give up against anyone."
Meanwhile, Alex McLeish stressed the need for Rangers “to get off to a flier” next season while Celtic reset following the departure of Ange Postecoglou.
McLeish, boss at Ibrox between 2001 and 2006, offered some advice to his former club, saying: “They have to make a great start.
“While Celtic may be with a new manager, new coaches, planning a strategy maybe not the same as Postecoglou’s, there could be a little bit of disruption and Rangers have to start extremely well.
“The big thing is recruitment.
“I am sure Michael has a good eye for players and if he has the right signings…they have to get off to a flier.
“I’m sure he has brought young and vibrant players in but when you come to a club like Rangers you’ve got to hit the ground running and that’s just the facts.”
