BRAHIM HEMDANI is hoping Rangers are handed a massive Uefa Cup boost with Barry Ferguson and Karl Svensson both winning their injury battles.

The pair are doubtful for Thursday's Uefa Cup clash with Hapoel Tel Aviv after limping out of yesterday's 2-1 victory over Falkirk at Ibrox with groin injuries.

Svensson was replaced at half-time by Sasa Papac, but the Bosnian is cup-tied for Europe and, with Ugo Ehiogu and Andy Webster both still out injured, it could leave manager Walter Smith with a major problem at the back.

Ferguson left his side to play out the final few minutes with 10 men after all three subs had been used.

Both players will receive intensive treatment right up until kick-off as the Ibrox club attempt to overturn the 2-1 deficit from the first leg, but Hemdani is keeping his fingers crossed they make it.

He said: "We are hoping both Karl and Barry recover in time. They are very important players for the team. Obviously the match with Tel Aviv is massive for the club and we want all our players fit and available for the manager. So hopefully the two of them will be okay to start the game. If they are then it is good news for the team."

Hemdani believes Rangers are good enough to progress through to the next round and keep their European dreams alive.

He said: "We are looking forward to the game. We know we must win after the result last week in Israel.

"But we are confident we can play better on Thursday than in the first leg, and progress to the next round.

"It's important for the club that we enjoy a good run in Europe.

"It gives the supporters something to look forward to, and financially it can only be a good thing for Rangers.

"Hopefully, we can make a good start to the game, although we have to try and be patient and not leave space for Tel Aviv to exploit."

However, the midfielder believes his team-mates will have to improve their performance from what they served up at home to Falkirk yesterday.

Despite winning 2-1, it was a below-par display from Walter Smith's side and Hemdani knows they can play a lot better.

He said: "It was important to win the game, and that's us now seven points ahead of Aberdeen.

"We want to have the opportunity to play in the Champions League next season, and we have now given ourselves a good opportunity to do so.

"But it's important we keep up the good form in the league if we are to achieve our target.

"We have won four of our five last games, and not lost a league game since Walter Smith took over so on the postive side we are beginning to show consistency.

"But we must continue to do that until the end of the season."