WALTER SMITH today played down Osasuna's striker crisis and primed Rangers for a Uefa Cup fight to the death.

The La Liga outfit jetted in without first choice hitmen Savo Milosevic and Roberto Soldado, plus Valdo and Ludovic Delporte and banned midfielder Pintxa Pinal.

Milosevic has already been ruled out the return, with former Real Madrid man Soldado also struggling for that game.

But Smith has seen enough of tomorrow's last 16 opposition, and read Ian Durrant and John Brown spying reports, to know this will be Rangers sternest Uefa test so far.

"Savo Milosevic is a regular starter for them, and they will consider his absence to be a blow," conceded the Gers gaffer.

"But they have three or four very good forward players who can come in and I have no doubts they will have enough cover.

"It is clear that they will pose a threat to us so we have to be careful. As you the opposition does get more difficult. And, from what we have seen on the tapes, and from what we've heard in the reports from John and Ian, that certainly applies to Osasuna.

"We have been on a good run in the Uefa Cup this season. We can take a lot of confidence from that - but we will have to be at our very best to get through over these two legs. Make no mistake about that."

Rangers have yet to concede a goal at home in the Uefa Cup after clean sheets against Molde, Maccabi Haifa, Partizan Belgrade and Hapoel Tel-Aviv. And Smith hopes his defence can keep the back door bolted, allowing them to go after the goals that could prove crucial.

"They have a solid defence and try to play on the counter, and I do expect them to attack when the opportunities arise," added Smith.

"We haven't been giving away many goals. And we will need that level of concentration."

Osasuna coach Cuco Ziganda was also quick to play down the absence of key players.

"We have problems with injuries and suspensions, but there is a freshness about the squad," he said. "The addition of Raul Garcia and Munoz will give us good attacking options.

"We are anticipating a more open game than we had in the last round against Bordeaux. We know Rangers will try to press us and we must contain them.

"However, the more they come forward the bigger the spaces they will leave so we have to capitalise on this.

"I think Rangers will be really motivated because the final is in Glasgow, but we have shown great spirit and we can continue this."

Osasuna returned 1000 tickets last night. These will be on sale at the ticket centre, on www.rangers.co.uk and on 0800 600 1993.