Football: Amoruso's admiration for Advocaat

LORENZO AMORUSO, the Rangers captain, believes the club's Continental drift into a European style of play under their Dutch coach, Dick Advocaat, means the threat of Parma holds no fears at Ibrox tonight.

The Italian defender knows the strength of the Serie A opposition, but remains confident before the Uefa Cup third round, first leg - because of how Rangers have improved since Advocaat's arrival.

Amoruso played no part in the 5-1 Old Firm defeat to Celtic on Saturday, but views the setback as having no impact on the tie. And he senses the current Rangers team are now fully equipped to excel in overseas competition. The most telling proof, he claims, was the 3-2 aggregate defeat of Bayer Leverkusen in the previous round.

"Rangers, starting from this year, have become a European team," Amoruso said. "In the past, we were a great team in Scotland that always lost in Europe, and not to great teams either, but normal sides like Gothenburg last season. This year we have started to play a European mode of football.

"Parma are a better side for experience, but we are a group of players who help each other, whereas they could go on the pitch and have everyone think they can win the game alone as individuals."