Walter Smith's Rangers Champions League theory is about to be put to the test by Gio and Celtic - Keith Jackson

Over the years Walter Smith developed an interesting theory about competing in the Champions League.

More often than not, the sooner it was over and done with the better as far as the late, great pragmatist was concerned. His insatiable competitive streak, coupled with an instinctive understanding for reading the room, would never allow him to admit as much in public of course. Smith knew some things were better left unsaid.

But, even so, he’d have had no little sympathy for Giovanni van Bronckhorst when the Dutchman conceded that Rangers are simply not sufficiently equipped to trade blows at this level following an opening night evisceration in Amsterdam. Yes, Smith may have relished the tactical challenges which came with squaring up to Europe’s big boys - and he fully appreciated the huge financial windfalls involved. But his overriding concern was almost always centred around how the collateral damage might impact upon his side’s domestic ambitions in the shape of dented confidence and drained legs.

At times when his players were being made to suffer on some of the game’s greatest stages, it was Smith’s job to get them back home again and begin picking up the pieces. And there could be similar repair work urgently required on both sides of Glasgow’s divide before the week is out.

Tomorrow night, Smith’s beloved Rangers will be placed directly in harm’s way all over again when they take on a wounded Liverpool at Anfield. This one has the potential to be a bloody and messy affair.

In normal, less stressful circumstances, Jurgen Klopp might have felt able to keep one eye fixed on Sunday’s Premier League blockbuster at table topping Arsenal. But, on this occasion, Rangers will be given no such luck.

Klopp is