WHEN Rangers got to the UEFA Cup Final in 2008, the experience of Davie Weir at the heart of the defence was an integral part of our success.

Now, in my book, Gareth McAuley has an awful long way to go to be mentioned in the same breath as a Rangers legend like Davie undoubtedly is, but I think that his experience could be vital against Villarreal on Thursday night.

Centre-back is the perfect position for a player of such huge experience, and Davie showed that in the way that he organised and spoke to his teammates. Gareth McAuley looks very much in that mould from what I have seen of him both at West Brom, and in his brief but impressive displays in a Rangers jersey so far.

Like Davie, Gareth has come to Ibrox at the age of 38, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him play on for another four or five seasons as my former teammate did.

You don’t need to have huge pace to play at centre-back, trust me, that’s why I ended up playing there! But what you do need to bring is a calming influence on your teammates, particularly the younger ones, be a good communicator and an organiser.

That’s all the traits of a good centre-half at any age. Davie had that, and players of such great experience are invaluable to any side.

Gareth has the personality along with the ability to be a really important player for Rangers throughout this campaign and beyond because along with his vast knowledge of the game, he is in cracking physical condition as well. He has always looked after himself, and now he is reaping the rewards for being the consummate professional.

And not only will he help Rangers on the park with his own play, but he is the ideal person to bring the likes of Connor Goldson, Nikola Katic and Joe Worrall along too.

Just look at the influence that Davie had on young Danny Wilson when he broke through at Rangers and what he did for his career. He also helped Kirk Broadfoot to kick on a level on the other side of him, so the value of what McAuley can bring to this current side cannot be underestimated.

Goldson and Katic are young and have plenty of time on their side, as does Worrall. I thought Worrall was excellent in the last European game against Spartak Moscow at Ibrox, and perhaps him and McAuley would be the pairing I would opt for in such a crucial match as Thursday night’s encounter with Villarreal undoubtedly is.

It’s a great problem for Rangers manager Steven Gerrard to have four good players in that position though. He’s spoiled for choice. That was the area that desperately needed addressed during the summer, and whoever he goes with, I’m sure they will give a good account of themselves. But, for me, I would have McAuley in there.

With Allan McGregor, a born winner and another vastly experienced campaigner behind them, you can see the basis for why the defensive displays by Rangers have improved hugely this year, and again, it really reminds me of that unit we had.

As well as Greegsy in behind us, we had Davie in front of him, Kirk, Danny or Carlos Cuellar alongside him and them me in front of them, and that gave us a really good base to go on and get results. Davie was at the centre of all of that, and was able to organise all of us and manipulate all of those positions. I believe McAuley has a similar sort of stature to do the same with the current group of players.

They are going to need all of their defensive fortitude against the Spaniards this week if they are to get a result. Make no mistake, they are a proper team with wonderful individual talents. They are a much better team than Rangers on paper, but as we all know, that can count for little on the grass.

I really believe that Rangers have a great chance if they play this match like a one-off cup final. If they can get a result and go on to progress from this group, it would be an unbelievable achievement and some turnaround for this club.

There has to be belief there from the last game against Villarreal where Rangers got a result that nobody gave them a hope of achieving in Spain, and going into one of those special European evenings under the floodlights at Ibrox with the crowd behind them may just be the thing that tips the match in Rangers’ balance.

It will be a hugely hostile arena for Villarreal to walk into, and I just have a sneaky feeling that Rangers can get the result. Anything is possible as long as Rangers respect, but don’t fear, their opposition.