THIS is exactly the kind of game that Steven Gerrard brought Steve Davis back to Rangers for. On a big night for his side, he will turn to one of his big game players.

At 34, Davis has seen, heard and done it all for club and country and nothing he will encounter against Legia Warsaw will surprise or faze the Northern Irishman.

The atmosphere in the Polish Army Stadium could be the most intimidating that Rangers have come across during their European adventures under boss Gerrard.

But it will bring out the best in the group of players the 39-year-old has assembled and the team he will trust to try and earn a first leg advantage.

READ MORE: Gary McAllister: Steven Davis is playing better than ever for Rangers this season

A hostile reception awaits the Light Blues as Legia are roared on by a 31,000 sell-out crowd but Davis will take it all in his stride when he slots into the midfield role he has performed so admirably this season.

He said: "I think they are obviously passionate fans, like our own, so the atmosphere is going to be good and, as the manager said, it is an atmosphere you should relish playing in.

"Obviously if I get the opportunity to play I would like to try and bring my calmness to the team in possession.

"It is important because we expect them to want a fast start in the game and we want to settle things down from our own point and then start to play our own game.

"Of course it gives you that adrenaline and that energy and that comes from the importance of the game as well because we are at the stage now where one of the two teams goes through.

"There is obviously a level of importance there and they are great games for us to be involved in.

"We all know we are desperate to be back in Europe once again as a group of players and how important it is for the club and the fans. We will be doing our all over the two legs to achieve that.

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"Old Firms obviously spring to mind straight away and the majority of the lads have experienced those games. I don’t think that will be a negative thing for us.

"These are games that you are really up for and it is one we are looking forward to."

There have been many positives for Gerrard and Gers fans to take from an encouraging start to the campaign and the form of Davis is certainly one that is high up the list.

Assistant Gary McAllister reckons he is playing as well as ever. The man himself is just pleased to be contributing in Light Blue once again.

Davis said: "It is always hard to judge between previous seasons and where you are now and I am playing a slightly different role now.

"It is a role that I am thoroughly enjoying, playing as the anchor there. I am enjoying my football and that is the important thing at the minute. I feel that I am contributing to the team and long may that continue.

"It is going to be a difficult game, I don’t think they have conceded in qualifying up until this point. They maybe haven’t had the start they would have liked to in the league so far so I don’t know if there is going to be a little bit of pressure on them to get a result.

"I will go with what the manager said in terms of it being a two-legged game and it is not like we have to go after the game here. We are obviously going in with the mindset to win the game."

Victory over Legia this evening would be the most important win of the season so far for Rangers and set them up perfectly for the return at Ibrox next Thursday.

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Davis was part of a hugely successful side lead by Walter Smith during his first stint at Ibrox and is pleased with the progress that has been made in the opening weeks of the campaign as Gerrard looks to deliver his first silverware as boss.

He said: "The group is very close together, everyone gets on well and we have obviously got good competition for places. It is a really good, strong squad with good quality within in and everyone is fighting for their place.

"There were changes made at the weekend and the boys did excellently to get through there in difficult conditions against East Fife.

"Everyone is desperate to play and when you get a chance to be in the starting eleven you have got to perform. That is good, healthy competition.

"The manager has set those standards throughout his career so he was going to be no different now that he is on the other side of it.

"I have known that from day one when I came in here in terms of the standards he sets and expects each and every day.

"He has shown that after every game and I think we are building something good here. It is still early in the season but we are happy where we are at at this moment in time.

"There are things we can get better at and improve on but overall we have had a decent start to the season. It is still early days and there is a long way to go."