RANGERS were today told not to underestimate Aalborg BK after being put on a collision course with the Danes for a place in the Champions League group stage.

RANGERS were today told not to underestimate Aalborg BK after being put on a collision course with the Danes for a place in the Champions League group stage.

That message came from former Gers striker Erik Bo Andersen - who was with Aalborg before being brought to Scotland by Walter Smith in 1996 for £1.5million.

Smith's side - assuming they get past Kaunas next Tuesday in Lithuania - will travel to northern Denmark on either August 12/13, with the return at Ibrox a fortnight later.

Aalborg, managed by former Scotland and Arsenal legend Bruce Rioch, still have to complete formalities against Bosnian minnows Modrica in the second round next week.

But, as the Danes are 5-0 up from the first leg, they are certain to provide the opposition for a £10m bounty assuming Gers don't suffer a Euro disaster in Kaunas in the second round tie that is currently deadlocked at 0-0.

Former Ibrox hitman Andersen said: "This is a good draw for Rangers. They will be the favourites if the teams meet, there is no doubt about that.

"If the teams played each other 10 times, there is no way Aalborg would win at least five of those matches.

"At the same time, it would be stupid to think this will be a walkover for Rangers because Aalborg have a good side. Collectively, they are a team that works hard with no real superstars in it and that is their big quality."

Last season, Aalborg won the Danish title for only the third time in their history - and their first in nine years - but boss Erik Harmen left and was replaced by Rioch from Odense.

They play in the 13,5000 Energi Nord Arena and have lost the first two Superliga matches of the new Danish season.

But they did beat Sampdoria last season in the first round of the Uefa Cup, and went on to draw with Anderlecht and narrowly lose to Spurs and Getafe in the group stages.

Andersen added: "On their day, they can compete with a lot of big sides. They were unlucky to lose at Tottenham last season and with a bit of luck, could have had a better result there "Jepper Curth is a good striker and a threat. He is not the tallest but he is a dangerous player. I think he scored 15 or 16 times last season and has shown a lot of potential."

"In midfield, Thomas Augustinussen is one of Aalborg's best players too. He is very tall and creates a lot of things."

However, having seen some tough ties come out for other big sides in today's draw, Smith will be hopeful he men can get through to join Celtic in the group stages.

He would not, however, look ahead to Aalborg and said: "It's a very simple thing - we have to get there first. That is something we haven't done yet, Tuesday night in Kaunas is the only thing we are thinking about."

Queen of the South also be heading to Denmark to play Nordsjalland in the Uefa Cup second qualifying round.

Former England boss Steve McClaren, meanwhile, said it was "fate" that his FC Twente side would be drawn against Arsenal in the Champions League third qualifying round. Liverpool will play Standard Liege.