RANGERS 'NEED THE MONEY' SAYS MALMO BOSS

JON DAHL TOMASSON heaped pressure onto Rangers tonight by insisting the Ibrox men are the 'big favourites' to progress in the Champions League despite Malmo's 2-1 lead from the first leg.

The Swedes travel to Glasgow with a narrow advantage thanks to a late Steven Davis strike that has changed the complexion of the fixture and given Rangers a fighting chance on home ground.

Steven Gerrard's side suffered their first Premiership defeat in 40 outings against Dundee United on Saturday but Tomasson is well aware of the challenge that awaits Malmo.

Tomasson said: “We got a good result last week but if it had been 2-0 it would've been even better.

“Rangers are the big favourites in this game. But we won last week and everyone of my players are motivated for a game against a very good side.

“Rangers have some excellent players and it will be a challenge, but we're up for it."

The winners of this match will progress to face either Olympiacos or Ludogorets in the play-off round and go head-to-head for a place in the lucrative group stages this term.

The European millions could be transformative on and off the park for Rangers and when asked who he thinks will have the biggest motivation to get through, the Malmo boss cheekily quipped:

“Don’t you think they [Rangers] need the [Champions League] money here? I think so. I think they need it. I think that’s a good answer, isn’t it?

When invited to expand upon his statement, Tomasson replied: “I think you're all clever lads so you'll understand it."