FERNANDO RICKSEN is worried the Rangers legions will put the frighteners on Zenit St Petersburg - and fears his team-mates could freeze in the red, white and blue cauldron.

Rangers fans are expected to swamp the City of Manchester Stadium tomorrow night for the Uefa Cup Final and turn the ground into a mini-Ibrox.

And former Gers star Ricksen admits their vocal backing could be crucial.

He said: "I'm very respectful of the fans and I'm very happy with the fans," he said when asked what sort of reception he can expect.

"It's too bad I'm not playing on that side because I know how much of an influence they can be.

"We will see how it goes, but I will be happy to see them again."

Dutchman Ricksen spent six years at Ibrox before being despatched to Zenit in the summer of 2006 by then boss Paul Le Guen.

But the maverick midfielder is not surprised to be crossing swords with his old team-mates again so soon.

He said: "Rangers are a top club and top clubs compete in Europe so I thought we would meet at one point.

"I've not spoken to any of my old team-mates though."

Rangers have defied the odds to overcome Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen, Sporting Lisbon and Fiorentina to come this far.

But Zenit's emphatic 5-1 aggregate semi-final win over Bayern Munich means they will be firm favourites to clinch the trophy.

Zenit defender Anatoliy Tymoschuk faced the other half of the Old Firm with Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League in 2004 and is expecting more of the same from Rangers.

"I think it will be a similar game," he said. "Rangers play the same system as Celtic. This match will be very difficult for my team."