Crichton on European opportunity, home advantage & squad strength

Rangers head coach Leanne Crichton has been speaking to the media before her side begin their Women's Champions League qualifying campaign against Slavia Prague on Wednesday. Here are the main points: Crichton says she's "excited" about hosting the mini-tournament at Broadwood but "hasn't thought too much" about taking charge of her first Champions League qualifier. The winner of Rangers' game against Slavia progress to face Ajax or Brondby at the weekend, and Crichton says being at home is "brilliant because there's no upheaval... we've not had to think about travel and logistics". Crichton hopes "it will be an advantage on the pitch" but admits Rangers are "up against top opposition and know there won't be any easy games". The Rangers boss is urging her players to "embrace the opportunity" of playing in Europe and hopes her side will "show the team that we want to be this season". And the former Scotland international feels her squad are "looking very good" and "ready to go and compete this week". But she's expecting Slavia to be "a tough nut to crack" although does believe "there are vulnerabilities we can try and expose and exploit". Crichton believes her squad is "more than capable" of managing "the demands of all four competitions" in Europe and domestically. While Crichton admits "domestically is the focus, we want to win the league this season" she hopes "European football can help us get there". Rangers have also confirmed the appointment of Leanne's brother Colin Crichton as assistant head coach to replace Andy Thomson, who took over as Hearts boss earlier this summer.