Broadfoot wary of Schalke return

RANGERS defender Kirk Broadfoot admits he will be happy to avoid a Champions League replay against Schalke after the German side's comfortable friendly win on Saturday.

Mladen Krstajic headed the only goal at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen as the Bundesliga side controlled proceedings.

Late sub Andrius Velicka's diving header hit the post but that was a rare opportunity for Walter Smith's men, despite Jean-Claude Darcheville, Kenny Miller and Nacho Novo all getting starting berths.

Schalke dominated possession, and although the Rangers defence coped with most of what they had to offer, Broadfoot is eager to avoid the Germans in European competition next month.

Schalke, quarter-finalists in last season's Champions League, enter at the third qualifying round this time along with the likes of Barcelona, Juventus, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Rangers hope to join them with victory in the second qualifying round, which starts on 30 July at Ibrox, where they will almost certainly face FBK Kaunas of Lithuania.

"It was a hard game," said Broadfoot, who lined up alongside Davie Weir in central defence. "They are a quality side with big-name players. But it was a good chance to get a run-out against good opposition in a very good arena.

"Hopefully it keeps the fitness levels up and stands us in good stead. Maybe a couple more games and we'll be raring to go.

"The standard of opposition was up there with the best in Europe to be honest. Hopefully we'll not come up against that if we get through to the next qualifying round.

"But I think it will stand us in good stead and hopefully we can take it on to the Champions League qualifiers when they do come around."

Novo admits Rangers need to sign a central midfielder before then with club captain Barry Ferguson out for up to four months with an ankle injury.

They lined up with Christian Dailly, Kevin Thomson and Lee McCulloch in a three-man centre midfield against Schalke.

"In that position, we've got a couple of injuries and there are not many players left to fill roles there," Novo said. "Barry is a really good midfielder and we don't have anyone to play in his position."

Rangers have been told they must increase their offer for Steven Davis, with Fulham holding out for £4million for the player who impressed on loan at Ibrox last season.

"The last I heard Rangers reiterated their initial offer which was refused by the club," said Fulham manager Roy Hodgson following his side's 3-1 friendly win over Celtic at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

"Steve's loan turned out to be exceptionally good for Rangers and Steve himself.

"He enjoyed his time up there and was a regular starter. He fears it won't be easy to break into our midfield, which is fairly stable.

"But players have values. We paid a lot of money for him and think he's a very good player. I'm perfectly happy to work with him and keep him at Fulham.

"Of course if he's going to leave us it will have to be because we've received the correct offer. The lad is worth the sort of transfer money we're asking."

As well as at least one midfielder, Smith is also keen to sign a defender with Cardiff City's Glenn Loovens still on his shortlist following a failed bid to entice Danny Shittu from Watford.

Smith has other injury problems to contend with as wide man DaMarcus Beasley, left-back Stevie Smith and striker Kyle Lafferty all look set to miss the opening European game.

The Rangers manager, whose team face Clyde tomorrow night, will be keen to reintroduce key defender Carlos Cuellar after a calf strain kept him out of the three games in Germany.