FORBS FOCUS

Buffel warns Gers of wide threat that's 'impossible to defend' ahead of Champions League showdown

- BY FRASER WILSON

THOMAS BUFFEL will be back in Glasgow to catch up with some old pals as Rangers tackle Club Brugge on Tuesday.

He'll likely meet up with Barry Ferguson, Nacho Novo and Alex Rae amongst others ahead of sitting down for the first leg of the pressure pot playoff for a spot in the Champions League.

Together, the quartet were a key part of the Gers side that stormed to the last 16 of the competition under Alex McLeish 20 years ago - agonisingly crashing out to La Liga side Villarreal on away goals after a 2-2 draw at Ibrox was followed by a 1-1 draw in Spain.

That run remains one of Buffel's career highlights. But times have changed, the competition has changed, and these days Rangers are doing well just to reach the main stage never mind the knockouts.

A place in the league phase, worth £40m, is the prize on offer as Russell Martin's side take on Buffel's hometown Brugge over the next 10 days.

And while the 44-year-old might be born and bred in the Belgian town, a part of his heart still remains in Govan where he spent four seasons and won the Double in 2005.

For that reason - or maybe it's more to do with his two spells at rivals Cercle Brugge - Buffel had no problem lifting the lid on the threat that faces Rangers at 8pm on Tuesday.