THE Swedish World Cup captain, Jonas Thern, one of Rangers' new signings who will play in the preliminary round of the European Cup against GI Gotu, made it clear yesterday just how seriously the Scottish champions were approaching the first-leg match.

Thern, who has been in the Faroe Islands once before when he played for Malmo, is convinced that the game tomorrow will be difficult, even troublesome. ''Manager Walter Smith has told us that we must concentrate on this game,'' he revealed.

''We cannot be looking forward to the next round, when we could face IFK Gothenburg. And we cannot think about the Champions' League, which comes after that.

''There has to be total concentration on this game, and on getting the result. It is good that the first leg is away from home, because the match is awkward. But the next week we are back at Ibrox and that is where we can give our own fans a real performance.

''Gotu will be strong, will be fit, and will be physical. I think their individual players have improved because they have been able to play in the World Cup, and the European Championships, as a separate international team. That has helped to lift their standards.

''We will have more ability, but the game is on their ground, with all the problems that brings, and that is why 100% concentration is so important.''

Earlier, Rangers manager Smith had pointed out that, already, before the season has got underway, how important his massive squad of players is to realising Rangers' ambitions this season.

For instance, Paul Gascoigne, Sergio Porrini, and Staale Stensaas are suspended. Andy Goram, Gordon Petric, and Lourenzo Amoruso are injured - and they line up alongside long-term injuries, such as Alan McLaren, Stuart McCall, and Seb Rozental.

The absence of so many players means that Smith will have to tinker with the team, and especially with the defence, where three of his new signings will be absent and McLaren and Petric are also missing.

However, he said: ''Tony Vidmar can play in the centre of the defence and we also have Joachim Bjorklund and Craig Moore, who can play in the central areas.

''It does show, even this early, how we need to have a large pool of players available. It is easy to say that the opposition is not strong, but the stakes are so high and we know that the conditions won't be to our liking.

''Scotland were in the Faroes and won 2-0, Raith Rovers drew 2-2 here with this team a couple of years ago, and Motherwell managed to win 4-0 against another club side, but I think they would all tell you that there were problems.

''We have had them watched twice and our new coach, Tommy Moller-Nielsenn, spent a year working in the Faroes, so we have a decent knowledge of the opposition and of the conditions.

''I think, basically, we will find that they will be really up for this game. It will be similar to going away from home in the League Cup, or the Scottish Cup, to a team from a lower division. That is never easy.

''What we want to do is come back with the right result regardless of the scoreline.

''I mean, people talk about scoring a barrow-load of goals, but that doesn't happen. We have to make sure that we control the game and that we do not have any lapses during the 90 minutes.''

The main problem - injury apart - is that Rangers are fielding so many new players. Thern said: ''It is always difficult when you go to a new club and this time there are so many of us who have come to Rangers at the same time.

''But there is a lot of quality in the squad, and week by week I can feel the understanding between the players growing.

''It will take time. It is not fully there yet, but, if we get through this game, then I am sure that we shall be functioning as a unit by the time we go to Gothenburg.

''It is important to have that collective strength and then also have the added skills of stars as big as Brian Laudrup and Paul Gascoigne.

''I believe that, if we do get through these early rounds, then we can be a powerful team in Europe.

''I know Ibrox after playing there for Sweden last year and, with the players we have, and with that support behind the team, then I don't think many players will be able to win at our stadium.''

Meanwhile, Gotu coach Pal Guadlavgson yesterday courted controversy when assessing Rangers' quality. Praising Brian Laudrup and describing him as ''a marvellous player'' Guadlavgson then suggested: ''Rangers would be an average side without him.''