Scott Arfield: Rangers can compete with Liverpool, Ajax and Napoli

Rangers attacker Scott Arfield has said he isn’t daunted by the prospect of taking on some of Europe’s biggest names following the team’s Champions League group draw.

On Thursday, the Ibrox side were chosen to go up against last year’s finalists Liverpool, Champions League regulars Ajax and Serie A challengers Napoli.

Rather than being daunted by the prospect of six challenging games, Arfield is excited and believes Rangers can show what they are made of on the biggest club stage.

“As always, we think we can be very competitive,” he said. “It was a great draw for us with a lot of big dogs in there, which when you get to this stage of the competition there’s going to be.

“It’s an exciting draw for everybody and of course we want to be as competitive as possible.”

While enthused by all three opponents, the prospect of a ‘Battle of Britain’ against English Premier League giants Liverpool is the pick of the bunch.

“The three of them are amazing, amazing cities, so we’re definitely looking forward to going to them, but the one that captures the attention is the Liverpool one because it’s closer to home and we know our following there is going to be sensational,” said Arfield.

“That’s the one we’re probably looking forward to the most. They have been finalists for numerous years and they’re one of the best teams in the world, and now we can show what we’re all about.”

Champions League qualification just months after reaching the Europa League final continues Rangers’ upward travel in continental competition and Arfield believes that’s down to consistent recruitment to raise the level of player to the point where success in Europe is achievable.

“I think in the five years I’ve been here, this is the time you think ‘we need to keep progressing’, he said.

“We’ve done that consistently in Europe in terms of qualifying, getting into the groups, then quarters and then last season going as far as we could without lifting the trophy.

“This was the next stage.

“I think you can see in the calibre of player that we’ve brought in consistently over the years that we’re in a far better place now.”