LEE McCULLOCH wants to prove Rangers aren't one season wonders in Europe by blasting the club to the group stage of the Champions League.

LEE McCULLOCH wants to prove Rangers aren't one season wonders in Europe by blasting the club to the group stage of the Champions League.

The Ibrox club reached that lucrative level last term and gave a good account of themselves before being eliminated and embarking on their run to the final of the Uefa Cup.

But McCulloch knows last season's heroics will quickly be forgotten if his team-mates fail to progress past Lithuanian side Kaunas this evening.

"There is no doubt we gained a lot of plaudits and respect with our overall performance in Europe last season," said the powerful midfielder.

"After progressing beyond the qualifying rounds, we managed to compete well in an extremely tough group section comprising Barcelona, Lyon and Stuttgart.

"In the end we were quite unfortunate not to qualify after getting off to really good start.

"Then, of course, we went into the Uefa Cup and it was a wonderful experience to reach the final in Manchester.

"It was disappointing not to win, but our performances in Europe were excellent.

"It obviously raises the profile of the club and people take notice.

"But we've got to make sure we perform well again this season. It would be pointless doing what we did last term and then failing this season.

"So the boys want to show everyone we have what it takes to compete in Europe and perform well at this level on a regular basis."

McCulloch could be handed a role in the middle of midfield tonight and he added: "I like it in there so it wouldn't be a problem for me.

"I've played there before so it's not a completely new experience for me, but I'll play anywhere the gaffer decides.

"Usually, Barry Ferguson would be the player occupying the attacking midfield role, but obviously he is out injured.

"I know the gaffer has played myself, Charlie Adam, Brahim Hemdani and Christian Dailly in there in the last couple of games, and young Dean Furman has also travelled with us and he played in there for a bit against Liverpool on Saturday.

"I'm sure Kevin Thomson will start so we'll just have to see who is asked to play beside him. It might depend on whether we play with two central midfielders or the three. So we'll just have to wait and see when the team in named and instructions are given to us.

"But I'm certainly comfortable playing in there and I'd be more than happy to take on that responsibility."

McCulloch is confident his team-mates have what it takes to leave Lithuania with a victory.

He added: "We can do it, that is not in doubt. But we'll have to work hard and be disciplined.

"Kaunas sat in against us in the first leg and if they decide to do the same tonight then that is up to them.

"And it's up to us to make sure we are more creative than we were at Ibrox and ask more questions of them.

"When you look at the attacking options we have then getting goals shouldn't a problem for us.

"We have plenty of guys who know how to find the back of the net. Kenny Miller and Jean-Claude Darcheville started in the first leg.

"But we have Kyle Lafferty, Kris Boyd, Andrius Velicka and Nacho Novo who all have different things to offer the team.

But what we need to make sure is they are given enough of the ball in the right areas.

"If we manage to do that then I'm sure we can win the game."