Malmo defender Niklas Moisander is preparing to play the “hardest” game since he joined the club when they take on Rangers.
The Swedes host Steven Gerrard’s men in the first leg of their Champions Leaguethird qualifying round tie tomorrow night before the return at Ibroxa week later.
Both sides now know they’ll face either Olympiakos or Ludogrets in the play-off round should they win.
Win that, and it’s into the lucrative promised land of the group stages.
By 35-year-old Moisander is experienced enough to know not to get ahead of himself, and has warned that Malmo have their work cut out if they are to get a result against Rangers, never mind go all the way.
He started his career at Malmo and is now back in his twilight years hoping for one last crack at the European big time.
"I think playing against Rangers will definitely be the hardest game I have played since I signed for Malmo,” said the Finn.
"The game will be played to an extremely high-tempo I think because Rangers are a team who are known for scoring goals and we love to play attacking football too.
"Both teams play a pressing game too so I am expecting an exciting match with a very fast pace.
"But that's why I am here - because of my experience. I have been the captain in a European tie against Barcelona before, so I know what to expect.
"What I would say is that we have a lot of good, young, talented players too. The tie against Rangers won't just be down to me.
"I actually played against Malmo when I was with AZ Alkmaar ten years ago so I know what it's like here. Football has changed a bit, it's more intense and how we train and play is quite modern here at Malmo.
"I have been pleasantly surprised by the standard of football in Sweden. I came here from two difficult years at Werder Bremen where I hardly played.
"So it feels good to be here and I can't wait to play this game against Rangers."
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