MARCOS Tavares, Maribor’s Brazilian-born striker, promised last night to shoot down Scottish opposition in Europe for a fifth time when the Slovenian side take on Rangers in tonight’s Europa League third round qualifying tie, writes Stewart Fisher. The naturalised Slovenian striker, now 34, popped up with the late goal at Celtic Park in 2014 which killed off Ronny Deila-era Celtic’s hopes of a Champions League place, and scored three times in a two-legged victory against Hibs back in 2010. Part of the squad also when the Maribor took care of Ally McCoist’s Rangers side on Europa League duty in 2011 and Aberdeen in 2016, he hopes to continue that Indian sign against Scottish opposition at Ibrox tonight.

“It’s good to be back in Scotland,” said Tavares, who has been at the club for a decade now. “But it is not about the past, it is all about the game tomorrow. Do I think I can score again? Yes! Of course I have very good memories of playing in this country but every game is different. It is in my style to try and score in every game.

“The goal I scored against Celtic was one of the most important I have scored and I am looking forward to this match. There have been some good changes at the club and everything is positive ahead of the first leg.”

Pipped to the Slovenian league title by Olympia Ljubljana, Maribor graced the Champions League group stages last year under Darko Milanic, the manager who was in charge when they overcame Rangers back in 2011 prior to a short-lived spell under Massimo Cellino at Leeds United. They have cruised past Partizani and Chikhura to reach this stage, with either they or Rangers in line to face Progres Niederkorn or Russian outfit Ufa if they get through this tie. Milanic said he felt Steven Gerrard’s side would face a similar test to the one which they faced in the previous round against Osijek of Croatia.

“All the games against Scottish teams have been very demanding but we had very good preparations for them all and played very well,” said Milanic. “We are hoping to continue in the same way.

“Rangers are play a very attacking, aggressive style, while Maribor play in a different manner,” he added. “There are different styles. In terms of this first leg, I’m expecting quite a similar match to the one Osijek experienced here last week. I’m expecting to have to cope with quite a lot of attacks, an aggressive game and we will have to do a lot of defending in one-on-one situations. It is definitely a 50-50 tie overall but we also have to remember that Maribor does have a lot of experience in Europe. We won’t change the way we train or prepare for this game.”

While the Ibrox side’s preparations could be affected by the early English transfer window – the club fielded a bid from West Brom yesterday for captain James Tavernier – Milanic will have no such difficulties. “We are just focusing on the task in hand, tomorrow’s game,” he said. “That is difficult enough. Whether the Rangers players are affected by uncertainties caused by the English transfer window I cannot say.”