GLASGOW (AFP) - Walter Smith insists Rangers must extend Stuttgart's poor Scottish record in Wednesday's Champions League game to have any chance of qualifying from Group E.

The German champions have never won in Scotland in the three matches they have played.

In the UEFA Cup Stuttgart lost 1-0 against Hearts in season 2000/01 and 3-1 to Celtic in 2002/03, and the following season they lost 2-1 in the Champions League against Rangers - although they won their home matches against all three.

Smith feels it will be important for his side's qualification hopes for this record to continue after Wednesday.

The Rangers manager said: "We hope it doesn't change. We have a new team and will have to find out about our team while winning in the Champions League.

"It will be a big test for us to see whether we can do that but hopefully at the end of the game Stuttgart's record remains."

Smith believes Rangers must exploit home advantage in all their Champions League group matches if they are to have any chance of qualifying from a section which also includes Barcelona and Lyon.

He continued: "The home matches will be crucial for all the clubs and we need to take as many points as we can at Ibrox.

"Anything we can achieve in the Champions League will be down to our home form and we'd hope having our opening game at Ibrox can give us a good start."

Although Stuttgart won the German Bundesliga last season their start to the current campaign has been less impressive, winning only two league matches out of their opening five. However Smith is under no illusions as to the task his side will face.

"It was a fantastic achievement for Stuttgart to win the Bundesliga last season as it's one of the most competitive leagues in Europe," the Rangers boss said.

"They might be suffering a little bit from the backlash of that championship win but I think the Champions League will bring back their form of last season.

"Stuttgart's success is not based on outstanding individuals, although they have some very good players, but by being an extremely good team."

While Stuttgart's domestic form has been less than impressive Rangers suffered their own set back on Saturday losing 4-2 away to Hearts - their first defeat of the season.

The Ibrox club's striker Kris Boyd acknowledged a similar performance on Wednesday could result in an embarrassing night.

He said: "You don't get a bigger platform than the Champions League and we want to show we're a quality team after what was a disappointing performance.

"You need to raise your game at this level because if you don't you could be embarrassed on the big stage.

"Hopefully Saturday was only a blip and we'll be ready again for Wednesday."

Despite Stuttgart's poor start to the season their 3-0 win against Cottbus at the weekend has renewed confidence in their ranks.

And coach Armin Veh is confident his team can end their miserable Scottish record to get their Champions League campaign off to the perfect start.

He said: "It was very important to win at the weekend. We were under pressure but we have shown we can handle that.

"Now we can concentrate on Rangers. They are a strong side at home but we need to go there full of confidence and it's important that we are now playing well and scoring goals.

"To do well in the Champions League you have to take points away from home and we feel we can do that."