Brann Bergen boss Freyr Alexandersson says they're going to have a PARTY against Rangers, writes Scott McDermott in Bergen.

Locals have compared it to Liverpool's visit to Bergen in 1997 in the quarter-finals of the Cup Winners' Cup.

Alexandersson knows the importance of the tie and his side will be backed by a sell-out 17,000 home crowd.

He expects a fierce atmosphere in the Brann Stadium on Thursday and admits they'll face an off-form Rangers.

But the Icelandic coach is adamant that Rohl's arrival at Ibrox will boost the players and make it more difficult for his own team.

Alexandersson said: "We're really looking forward to having this team and their fans visit.

"It will be a party atmosphere here on Thursday.

"Rangers have grossly under-performed but now they're bringing in a new manager and that will lift them.

"It will be a tough match for us."

Brann have already beaten Dutch side FC Utrecht in the Europa League group stage, as well as losing narrowly away to French cracks Lille.

With their home fans behind them, Alexandersson has vowed to go for Rangers' throats on Thursday night.

But he's also warned his side that if they go too gung-ho in search of goals, they'll get punished by Gers.

Alexandersson said: "We're going to go at them offensively but we have to be careful.

"I think Rangers are at their best, playing offensively. So we can't open ourselves up too much.

"But we're at the Brann stadium so we have to attack"

Brann will be without injured strike duo Saever Atli Magnusson - who has scored six goals in seven European games this term - and Niklas Castro for Rangers' visit.

They're also sweating on the fitness of Norwegian midfielder Felix Horn Myhre, who is currently fighting with Ibrox ace Thelo Aasgaard for a place in the national team.

Gaffer Alexandersson hopes to include Myhre on the bench but he's not fit enough to start.

He said: "After training on Wednesday, I'm not optimistic for Felix so he will not start.

"But maybe he can play some part in the match from the bench."