RANGERS are just hours from their biggest match in 36 years - the Uefa Cup Final against Zenit St Petersburg in the City of Manchester Stadium here tonight.

Walter Smith and his unlikely heroes will bid to emulate the club's European Cup-Winners' Cup legends of 1972.

Skipper Barry Ferguson says it's been too long since John Greig and his Barcelona Bears brought European glory to Ibrox. Now's the hour, says Barry, to end that wait.

"It's the biggest night of my career, there is no doubt about that," said the 30-year-old. "There is a mixture of nerves, excitement, all sorts of emotions, really.

"To be leading Rangers into a Uefa Cup Final will be a special moment for me and my family - and I want to get my hands on the trophy. For the club, for the fans, for the players, you just want to win it.

"It's been a long wait for Rangers to get back to this stage, 36 years since Barcelona, and everyone knows what a massive part the 1972 team has in the history of the club.

"We have that chance tonight, we can bring a European back home."

Ferguson's family will be here to watch him take on the Russians, managed by the man who made him Rangers captain, Dick Advocaat.

There are among the 100,000 Rangers fans in the city, with the 47,000 capacity stadium set to be two-thirds full with Gers supporters.

Ferguson has been overwhelmed by messages of good luck and knows that the 11 players Walter Smith sends out onto the field will carry the hopes and dreams of Rangers fans all over the world.

That brings and expectation and great pressure, but Barry continued: "I know loads of pals who are down here without tickets, they just want to be a part of what is a special occasion for the club.

"I would be down here myself if I was a supporter, and not playing, it's just the kind of thing you don't want to miss.

"I have loads of messages and it just makes you want to win it for everyone. We have battled really hard to get to this final, and now we need to go and try to win it."

Rangers finished their preparations last night at their luxury hotel retreat by watching the Russians on DVD, and Ferguson is well aware that Advocaat has assembled a fine side.

But he believes that the never-say-die spirit of this Gers outfit gives them a chance against anyone.

"The boys have been great, I've played in some really good Rangers sides but the determination and spirit in this side is the best I've seen," added the captain.

"Even when we look out in games we just keep going, and the boys have a great togetherness.

"The manager has played a big part in that side of things, and it can take you a long way.

"We have looked at Zenit and they are a good side, they have beaten top teams to get here - but so have we.

"It's a final and you just want to win now. I don't care if it hits someone and goes in and we win 1-0, or it's the scrappiest goal ever, we just want to win."

Midfielder Kevin Thomson has come through a fitness test and declared himself fit.

He trained at the City of Manchester Stadium last night with the rest of the squad and reported no ill effects on his foot injury.