Alashkert manager Alexander Grigoryan reckons playing Welsh minnows Connah's Quay Nomads was the perfect preparation for facing Rangers this week.
And he's warned Steven Gerrard they will relish being huge underdogs when they travel to Ibrox next week as they attempt to make history by becoming the first Armenian side to ever reach the Group Stages of the Europa League.
Rangers were stunned by Malmo in the Champions League and now have to beat the Yerevan-based side in the play-offs round to get into the Europa League.
However, Alashkert boss Grigoryan is relishing welcoming Gerrard and his team to the Armenian capital.
And he is using their match against the Welsh champions to help them prepare after they were pushed all the way.
Managed by Scots-born former Manchester City stopper Andy Morrison, Connah's Quay took Alashkert all the way to extra time before going down 1-0 in the away leg and 3-2 on aggregate - and that was despite travelling to Aremania with a squad of just 15 due to Covid.
Grigoryan said: "We already know about the British style because we had a very close game against Connah's Quay Nomads.
"They also had a famous player as a manager - Andy Morrison was once the captain of Manchester City. So we expect a similar style of football from Rangers.
"Then we played Sheriff Tiraspol and they said we had no chance of winning. They may come from Moldova, but they have an excellent European record and have spent a lot of money. To lose to them was no disgrace.
"We went into the Europa League and we played Kairat Almaty - a team who have Brazilian international striker Vagner Love in their line-up.
"And we managed to draw in Kazakhstan and beat them at home. We have improved with each game as we learn more European experiences.
"I do think the atmosphere in Yerevan helped. The full stadium gave us all a lift. I have really enjoyed managing a team in European football competitions.
"I respect Steven Gerrard and I have said that he was my favourite footballer. But that doesn't mean I would be happy to lose to him.
"This will be one of the biggest games in Armenian football and it would be fantastic to become the first ever team from this country to make the Europa League Group Stages."
