GREECE is renowned as the cradle of civilisation, although the experience of Rangers supporters scarred by previous trips to Athens and Salonika in the last decade may leave them less inclined to accept that description than they are to beware of Greeks bearing chibs.

The hostile reception they received in the away legs against AEK Athens and PAOK Salonika has persuaded some follow-followers not to return. Just over 1000 of them have made the trip to the Greek capital and Rangers' security chief, Laurence McIntyre, has liaised with tomorrow's rivals, Panathinaikos, local police and the British Embassy here in order to ensure a safe passage for the Scottish contingent.

''The Greeks are lovely, lovely people,'' said McIntyre, ''but when they get within 100 yards of a football stadium they become very animated. You can expect noise, flares and - although we hope it isn't the case - we also anticipate missiles being thrown. I have asked our fans to continue behaving as well as they have done in our recent away matches, and I will also try to influence them not to become frustrated or to take on the local police.

''The police in some countries are more military-based than community-based, so it's best not to react to them.''

That, along with some of the more hysterical coverage of the behaviour of the Panathinaikos support in the media back home, may have led the younger members of the travelling party to imagine they were about to enter Dante's Inferno. Fortunately, there are older, wiser heads there to counsel the novices and hope will not be abandoned when Rangers enter the Apostolis Nikolaidis Stadium.

Take Henning Berg, for example. The Norwegian, at 34, has seen just about everything football has to offer and he believes the more partisan the fervour from the Greek crowd tomorrow the better it will be for the visitors.

''Everywhere you go in southern or eastern Europe you will get that kind of intense reception,'' he said. ''I played in Bosnia with Norway a few weeks ago and that's exactly how it was there.

''It's also how you would want it to be as a player. It's what you like: football crowds shouldn't sit and be quiet when they're watching matches. Footballers want to take part in big occasions and this certainly is one because we're fighting to reach the next stage of the Champions League.

''Anyway, because this is the biggest tournament of all I believe we should have no worries about playing here from a security point of view.''

The Greeks' capitulation at Old Trafford two weeks ago, when they were mauled 5-0 by Manchester United, means that they cannot afford another defeat tomorrow.

''When teams go to Manchester they either play to the top of their game or go completely the other way,'' claimed the former United defender.

''Panathinaikos didn't handle that situation too well but I'm sure they'll wish to prove to the people of Greece and to the rest of Europe that they are better than that game suggested.

''For our part, we were happy to beat Stuttgart and either a win or a draw in Athens will be a good result for us. If we play to our best standards then we know we can give anyone a game.''

Rangers have been boosted by the news that Scotland full-back Maurice Ross has recovered from the suspected hamstring injury which saw him substituted during Saturday's

3-1 win over Dundee.

His availability may allow manager Alex McLeish the luxury of releasing Zurab Khizanishvili into midfield. Craig Moore's return at the weekend should see the captain partner Berg in central defence, with Khizanishvili deployed in the holding role to protect the back four.

Berg's displays alongside the Georgian have been one of their significant factors in Rangers' impressive start to the season but the veteran is far from surprised that the new boys have managed to gel so quickly.

''I've been quite pleased with my form so far, especially since I missed pre-season work,'' said Berg. ''I was playing straight away in spite of not having trained properly and I needed that first game under my belt in order to help me .

''However, when players join a big club like Rangers they realise they are expected to perform well in every single match. Because of that we are always together as a group. The reason for that is that we know we are the only people who can help each other.''

''Consequently, I believe it's been easier for us to bond than it would be for players at a smaller club.''

Berg, so thorough in his approach that he brought a personalised plastic mould with him for the purpose of keeping his back straight during yesterday's four-hour flight, will be at pains to preach the values of patience and restraint to his less experience colleagues.

''I hope their players don't dive but what can you do?'' he asked. ''The answer is not to do anything except try not to lose your head, maintain your concentration and hope that the referee spots it.''

McIntyre also believes that a display of collective composure from the Rangers team will be reflected in the demeanour of the travelling support. ''Fans are affected by the behaviour of players,'' he said, ''but I've no fears because Alex McLeish will have briefed his players.''

McLeish, for his part, is convinced that his team's state of mind will be vital. ''We try to work with our guys off the pitch as much as on it,'' he said. ''There's psychology involved in getting them ready mentally as well as physically.''