Mark Hateley has said that Rangers have to put their recent Champions League defeats behind them and focus on what is now possible by taking three points against Unirea Urziceni. Ex-Ibrox striker Hateley also said that after two heavy defeats the key to progress was to return to defensive solidity in order to progress.

Rangers are currently the bottom side in Group G and defeat would leave them adrift of even the Europa League spot awarded to the team that finishes third. A win, however, would give the Ibrox side a fighting chance with Stuttgart still to travel to Ibrox.

“I would think [it is a must-win game],” said Hateley.

“Obviously we’ve got to go to Unirea with a positive frame of mind. The last two games haven’t gone too well so it’s on the front foot tomorrow night.

“I think you would say three points are a must, but I think you would say every time Rangers play it is ‘three points are a must’.

Hateley said he thought that the team had to build from the back and ensure there were no more defensive slip-ups as they attempted to get the European campaign back on track.

“I think you look at all sides in Europe and the sides that don’t concede go a long, long way,” he said.

“I think the free-scoring sides that concede still don’t go too far.

“The key is to keep the back door well and truly tight. I think if you look at the past Rangers have been very, very good in that department. In the Uefa Cup run and in the Championship last year they had one of the best defensive records going.”

The former player singled out young defender Danny Wilson for praise and said that his performances would have given the manager food for thought as he makes his selections for Wednesday’s match. Lee McCulloch is expected to be fit for the match and will compete with Wilson to partner David Weir.

Hateley said that formation wasn’t important as long as the players all tried to combine to produce a scoring threat. Smith is expected to go with his familiar 4-1-4-1 formation against the Romanian champions but Hateley encouraged the midfield to contribute to the goal threat.

“However you want to play it, it’s up to other players to get forward,” he added.

“We do have the players with the qualities and abilities to link up with strikers.”