We must not stand on ceremony ... let's close pre-season with bang

The squad the Portuguese boss has assembled can hold its own with any of Europe's super-powers and is jam-packed with genuine quality.

But veteran Rangers defender Davie Weir doesn't want his side to stand there admiring them in the glamour pre-season friendly - and insists they have to show scant regard for reputations.

Given that this is Walter Smith's side's last outing before the action starts for real, against Zeta in the Champions League qualifiers next Tuesday night at Ibrox, it's an important afternoon for the Light Blues against the Premiership giants.

The Stamford Bridge side, of course, are capable of inflicting major damage on any team - even in pre-season games - if they want to launch themselves into top gear.

But standing on ceremony would only aid that, and Weir insisted: "Tomorrow's game is a great occasion for the younger lads to see first-hand the standard of Chelsea's players.

"But it's important that they don't end up as spectators in the game, and that they stand up and play against them.

"This is the type of game that if you play well, you can gain confidence and that is obviously good for Rangers.

"It's also a good chance for us to show that the gap between Scottish football and the Premiership is not as big as some people think."

Weir came up against the London side when he moved south from Hearts in 1998, but admits they have changed beyond recognition since then after Roman Abramovich's millions started flowing in.

This summer, by normal standards, has been slow on the spending front.

Florent Malouda arrived from Lyon for £13m, the other arrivals on free transfers being Steve Sidwell, Claudio Pizarro and Tal Ben Haim.

There is speculation on-going that a major striker splash for the likes of Valencia's David Villa will come next month, and Weir admitted: "Chelsea are one of the best teams in Europe, so we are going to get fully tested.

"There have certainly been big changes there over the years. They have brought in a lot of quality and have progressed from being a very good team to one of the best around.

"Through the investment they have received they have managed to bring in a lot of top players.

"That has obviously stood them in good stead and they have been very successful recently, winning two out of the last three Premiership titles."

Weir has come up against some top hitmen in his career. Tomorrow he is likely to face, at some stage, Didier Drogba and Andriy Shevchenko, two strikers in the very top bracket.

He will relish that task at the age of 37, but knows that a threat lies throughout this Chelsea team.

Weir went on: "We could talk all day about their players. I think it's important not to focus too much on individuals when the match is actually taking place.

"Frank Lampard is another who scores goals for fun, as well as the likes of Drogba. Really, they are a world-class team.

"We are going to get a big test from this, and I am sure that the fans are looking forward to the game as well."

With so many new players getting integrated into the Rangers team, it is going to take time.

Weir, however, is well aware that it has to click come Tuesday when the team from Montenegro pitch up for the first leg of the second round tie.

After a 1-1 draw against Ajax on Tuesday, in which Rangers had to work hard at times to stay with the slick Dutch side, this one is a step up again.

The Scotland man added: "Our games have gradually got more difficult, and this one will be the hardest yet.

"It's all about being properly prepared when the season starts next Tuesday night in the Champions League match, which is so important.

"The end results don't mean too much at this stage, it's once things start for real that points and prizes are at stake.

"But it's so close now to the European game that everyone is trying to stake a claim for a place in the team.

"So I don't think we'll be treating Chelsea as a friendly. The players will be giving their all, as this is likely to be a highly competitive game."