FLORENCE, birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and home to Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, will provide a picturesque backdrop to what Walter Smith hopes can be the finishing touches to his European masterpiece tomorrow night.

The Rangers manager headed out of Glasgow early this morning with his battle-weary squad, determined to complete a colourful journey that can carry them all the way to the City of Manchester Stadium in two weeks.

What started out as a blank canvas way back in July has brought Smith here, just 90 minutes away from becoming the first Rangers manager to lead the Ibrox club into a European final since 1972.

Given the rarity of these occasions, chances are it could be Smith's last opportunity to take that final step.

As always, he will entrust great belief in this group of players who, if truth be told, have stunned everyone - including him - to get themselves this far.

Again, Rangers will carry the mantle of underdogs into the decisive semi-final second leg against Fiorentina, a match that is so delicately balanced after neither side could find a goal at Ibrox last midweek.

But Smith will draw great encouragement from what his players have produced so far, especially away from home, as they collectively go into what is the biggest match of their careers.

Rangers have beaten Lyon 3-0 away in the Champions League, scored twice in Stuttgart, and also found goals in Athens and Lisbon to surge along this run which will see them tomorrow night play an 18th European tie of the season - more than any other club on the continent.

"It will take a Lyon or Lisbon kind of performance from us tomorrow to get through to the final," Smith said as he surveyed the job in hand, Rangers carrying the dreams of an entire support into the Artemio Franchi Stadium.

"Those were exceptional displays and I think the players can take a lot of confidence from the fact we went to France and scored three times in the Champions League, and also beat Sporting 2-0 on their own patch in the last round with them having such an impressive home record.

"Listen, Fiorentina are a very, very good Serie A outfit. We had them watched again at the weekend when they drew 2-2 with Sampdoria and they are a strong team not only on their own turf, but also away from home as they have proved in the Uefa Cup.

"I think that, prior to us keeping them out at Ibrox last week, Goodison Park was the only place they haven't scored. That is impressive, but we go there with belief we can get through to the final.

"For this group of players, a squad that was just assembled in the summer, to have the opportunity to go out and reach a Uefa Cup Final is fantastic.

"My players deserve all the credit going for getting themselves into this position and, naturally, we hope they can take that one extra step.

"They have given us everything so far, 18 European ties is almost like half of another SPL season, and I have no doubts we will get absolutely everything from them again tomorrow night."

Smith would prefer to have a full deck to choose from, but will be deprived of seven players through injury. Crucially, however, apart from Davie Weir and Allan McGregor, he still has a large part of the spine of his side that has got them to the semis.

Carlos Cuellar in the heart of defence, the midfield unit of Barry Ferguson, Kevin Thomson, Brahim Hemdani and Steven Davis, with the pace and goal threat offered by Nacho Novo, Daniel Cousin and Jean-Claude Darcheville.

"We need all of them to perform, it will have to be a real team effort and it's obviously a blow when you are missing the likes of Allan, Davie and Lee McCulloch, who have been big players for us so far," Smith said.

"But we have had to overcome problems throughout this run for one reason or another. And any time we have asked players to step in, to move out of position, they have got on with the job and applied themselves.

"I have no doubts that the players are aware of where they are here, what is at stake and the chance that has presented itself. They want it as much as everyone else connected with the club."

Smith is particularly pleased to have the talents of Thomson back in the side. His absence in the last two Old Firm defeats was absolutely crucial.

Thomson's suspenion problems recently have been awkward, with him being allowed to step in and play in the cup matches against Partick Thistle and St Johnstone, but having to sit out the Celtic matches.

"It has been frustrating for Kevin, as he has been in for one game, out for the next, and the lad has a tremendous attitude and will to win," said Smith of the player who offers the only genuine bite in the Rangers engine room.

"He was having an excellent season before he went out for a month or so with an injury, but he returned to form quickly and he's important for us in the sense that he gets about the pitch very well.

"We missed him and Carlos last Sunday at Parkhead, there is no question of that."