Kris Boyd believes that Rangers shouldn't lose focus on what's really important as they face Celtic and Leverkusen twice across seven days next month.
The Ibrox men will face the gruelling big fixture build-up after defeating Braga on Wednesday. The Hoops would have faced similar challenges but were dumped out at the round of 32 by Copenhagen.
And while Boyd recognises the importance of the Europa League , he urged Steven Gerrard's men to focus on Celtic , warning there will be no excuses in defeat.
He told Sky Sports: "(These are) three massive and difficult games but as a player those are the ones you want.
"There is no excuses come that Old Firm game on the Sunday that's sandwiched between them.
"Sometimes when you come up against lower quality opposition in the league, performance levels can drop but there are not going to be excuses for any player on that Sunday.
"It's exciting times for Rangers in terms of those three fixtures but we need to get back to domestic football now and they have a difficult game at Tynecastle on Sunday."
Boyd foresees a difficult tie against the Germans who boast some highly prized young stars and sit within six points of the Bundesliga summit.
He said: "Having beaten Atletico Madrid at home (already this season) they are a force to be reckoned with and it will be a very difficult tie for Rangers.
"You've got to say that over the piece it's a fantastic one and a half performances for Rangers.
"Yes they got a 1-0 victory (last night in Braga) but it could have easily been three or four nil. That's how comfortable Rangers were but there is no doubt this will be a step up in class but it will be one Rangers are looking forward to."
