Mendes gets inside knowledge on Stuttgart

Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes has turned to his best friend for inside knowledge on how to beat Stuttgart in Wednesday's night's Champions League Group G opener.

Mendes has been on the phone to fellow Portugal international Fernando Meira, who spent six seasons with Stuttgart, playing against Rangers two seasons ago in the group phase. The two men came through the ranks together at Vitoria Guimaraes and have remained close.

Mendes told his club's official website: "Fernando is my best friend so I have been in touch with him to find out what they are all about. We know that they are a strong side and he has told me the players to look out for."

He added: "They have lost Mario Gomez, who was an important striker for them but they are still a strong outfit so we know it will be a tough match for us."

Rangers dropped their first Clydesdale Bank Premier League points of the season on Saturday when they were held to a goalless draw at Motherwell.

Mendes added: "It will be a different game in Stuttgart. We have to get our heads up after the disappointment of the Motherwell match and I'm sure we will.

"It's going to be a completely different environment and for me it will be great to be back in the Champions league."