WALTER SMITH wasn't around when Stevie Clarke delivered the jewel on Rangers' wish list for the early season.

The Chelsea assistant manager, explaining the club's routine in their selection of pre-campaign games, felt the journey to Glasgow to face Rangers to be worthwhile on several counts - and not least because it gave the players the opportunity to sample the Ibrox environment before the potential of a Champions League group collision.

It was almost possible to hear the Rangers manager, probably ensconced at the time with his counterpart Jose Mourinho, whisper "if only."

Unquestionably, there are two prongs to Rangers' principal ambition for the season. Domestically, they will be focused on the return of the SPL championship to the south side of Glasgow, usurping Celtic's aim of a third successive title.

Yet in a business now dominated by finance - it determines stature and the quality of players clubs can attract - there is but the one exclusive coterie.

Entry to the group stages of European football's elite competition can be gained by invitation so long as high domestic status is retained - the welcome criterion that is applied to the leading mobs from England, Italy, Spain, and Germany - or it can be scuffled for on the cobbles of often haphazard pre-qualification.

Such is the challenge confronting the Old Firm, and on success or failure the evening dress is looked out or the fabric of the entire season can be laid threadbare in the opening month.

So although Smith welcomed rather than savoured Saturday's 2-0 win over the multi-million pound enterprise that is the London club, he is fully aware success against a side unknown outside of their Montenegro borders, FC Zeta, will carry a greater resonance than a record-book statistic.

Zeta arrive at Ibrox tomorrow for the first leg of this, the second qualifying round. Only if they can be negotiated, and Rangers and Celtic then go on to see off the opposition in the third round of matches, will the group stages smile rather than sneer.

At stake for the two Old Firm clubs is a degree of wealth that allows for long-term planning and prosperity so long as the incredible returns are used cleverly.

Celtic's movements in the transfer market have undoubtedly been smoothed by the £11 million or so they accumulated from progress to the last 16 of the Champions League last time round, while Rangers received under £400,000 from Uefa for their journey to the same stage of the second competition, the Uefa Cup.

So it was always going to be vital Smith had his players prepared physically and mentally for the launch of a European campaign before a ball has been kicked in domestic competition - hence the short summer break and the emphasis on conditioning work, evident at the weekend.

Zeta will not be treated lightly. Such is the significance of these pre-qualification rounds that a collection picked at random from public parks would require focus.

But pleasingly for the Rangers support - and there were some 50,000 in place - their lot look to be in decent shape. Fitness levels are clearly high, there is a sense of urgency about their desire to perform, and there are indications the pre-season signings have settled quickly and positively.

Sure, it remains superficial to make judgements on potential from pre-season games irrespective of the standard or the reputation of the opposition, and Chelsea heft a heavy weight of both. However, little nuances can be gleaned and maybe the most positive so far as Rangers are concerned was their eagerness.

The impression was there is a growing sense of belief and self-confidence, which the two goal victory will have enhanced.

However, in terms of physical conditioning Chelsea weren't much behind and might just have been a tad surprised by Rangers' obvious willingness to take them on in every area of the field. The consequence was a match that delivered value, generally a commodity rationed on these occasions.

Of course, it just wouldn't be a pre-season match without the cast being changed throughout and Smith and Mourinho were true to this tradition.

Rangers had much the better of the half-time substitutions with Nacho Novo and Filip Sebo, who had replaced Kris Boyd and Lee McCulloch, scoring the late goals that upped the satisfaction levels of the crowd.

Cleverly taken they were, too, although there was an element of fortune to Sebo's strike from a distance and acute angle on the left, deflecting as it did and finding the top corner of the net.

They contributed sufficiently to drag themselves into the frame for tomorrow night yet, more or less, Smith seems to have established his starting team and it is likely to be the collection that began against Chelsea.

By no means does the manager consider the present grouping to be the finished article, but for the moment, they will be asked to see off Zeta and edge towards the fertile land of the group stages.

Essentially, failure doesn't enter the equation.

Rangers: McGregor (Carroll 45), Hutton (Murray 45), Weir (Webster 45), Papac (Broadfoot 45), Ferguson, Hemdani, Boyd (Novo 45), Adam (Burke 81), Darcheville (Beasley 45), Cuellar, McCulloch (Sebo 62) Subs: Smith, Thomson, Sionko, Gow, Burke.

Chelsea: Cech (Cudicini 45), Johnson (A Cole 62), Terry, Tal Ben Haim, Diarra (Carvalho 45), J Cole (Mikel 46), Lampard, Sidwell, Malouda (Wright-Phillips 45), Shevchenko (Pizarro 45), Drogba (Sinclair 70) Subs: Hilario, Cole, Ferreira, Hutchinson.

Referee: S Dougal. One by One

McGREGOR Didn't have much to do in first 45 and always comfortable.

HUTTON New look shaved head haircut, but excellent form stayed the same. Left Glen Johnson for dead with three or four powerful first- half bursts.

WEIR Used his experience well against Drogba, even though the striker turned him this way and that at times.

PAPAC Hard shift against the brilliant Joe Cole. Final ball into box has to be better.

FERGUSON Revelled in tussle with Lampard - and didn't look lost in that company.

HEMDANI Caught on the ball a few times but steady enough. Will he make way for Thomson tomorrow, though?

BOYD Two great first-half chances. Struggled after that.

ADAM Great learning experience. Made wrong choice of pass at times, but fans need to get off his back a bit.

DARCHEVILLE Showed great tenacity and speed. Will be a real asset - maybe not a 90-minute man - when fully fit.

CUELLAR Outstanding again. Shackled Shevchenko, then Pizarro and looks to be a really good piece of business.

McCULLOCH Started on the right which, for me, is his least comfortable position. Always willing, but not in the game that much.

SUBSTITUTES

CARROLL Decent saves in his second half run-out and always organising.

NOVO Excellent work-rate on the right and bullet finish for opening goal.

BURKE Better stuff. Strong run away from Mikel to lay on Novo for goal.

MURRAY Another who improved. Solid at right-back and made some good tackles.

BEASLEY Struggling to make instant impact. Has to be more positive in attack.

BROADFOOT Did well against Wright-Phillips and showed more composure than Ajax game.

WEBSTER Solid. Execellent addition to the squad and Weir's long-term successor.

SEBO Typical Sebo. Missed a sitter, ran about a lot, then fired in goal.

FANS Massive crowd of 50,380 lapped up the entertainment against the Premiership stars and left pleased with the look of their own side.

MANAGER Has key selection decisions to make for Zeta up front and in midfield, but has a solid defence to build on.