Rangers arrived in Dortmund last night to meet a club which remains in crisis despite them having gained a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich in the Olympic Stadium on Saturday night.

It was a goal from veteran defender Jurgen Kohler which allowed them that point, but still left coach Michael Skibbe facing the wrath of the volatile Borussia support as the team prepares for their UEFA Cup third round, second-leg game against Rangers attempting to overcome a two-goal deficit from the first match at Ibrox.

As Skibbe tries to rally his disaffected support and his out-of-form team, his opposite number, Dick Advocaat, was able to relax as several of his injured players proved their fitness in a training game at Ibrox yesterday morning before they boarded a charter flight to Germany.

Rod Wallace, Claudio Reyna, and Jorg Albertz all came through the test and Rangers' Dutch coach seemed more relaxed as he said: ''Maybe it was a good thing that our game against St Johnstone was put off on Saturday.

''If it had gone ahead then we might have had more injuries to worry us. Instead, we have been able to get some of the players fit and ready to play again and that is important for this game.

''We were able to try some of them in a practice match and, essentially, everyone who is here is ready to play.

''We did not bring along Billy Dodds, for example, because we felt it was more important that he stayed with his family and worked out the details of moving down to Glasgow. He was not eligible for this game and so the other side of the transfer seemed more important at this time.''

Borussia have more than their share of troubles with veteran Andy Moller being injured and doubtful for the Rangers game and Skibbe being under a relentless barrage of criticism from the fans and the media.

Club president Gerd Neibaum, after assuring the coach that his job was safe, has gone on television in a bid to bring the support behind the club as they look towards a Stock Market flotation which may well hinge on whether they are still in Europe after this game.

They need that - but so do Rangers, who are aiming to build the type of reputation which Borussia had in Europe until this season's series of disappointments at home, as well as in the Champions League.

The draw against Bayern has helped morale, but only a little.

There is still trouble in the dressing-room, and a feeling among the fans that the team should be performing better than they have been doing so far.

That is something Rangers will try to turn to their advantage in this crucial tie.

Central defender Craig Moore, who has been outstanding for the Ibrox side this season, said: ''We know we shall be asked to survive what could be a hectic first 20 minutes.

''It will then be up to us to settle down and get into our own normal passing game. If we do that, then I believe we will go through to the next round.

''We have had this situation already this season when we went to Parma and were able to go into the Champions League after that match, so I think we are well enough equipped for this one.''

Moore again stressed the problems the Germans will cause them by their ''diving'' even after the most innocuous of challenges. He admitted: ''I had a few choice words to say to Andy Moller when he went down looking for a penalty at Ibrox in the first game. It is just something that they do.

''They are quite clinical about it. They want to win free kicks around the box or even a penalty and they play for that. In the first leg, the referee saw what they were up to and we have to hope that the referee in Germany will do the same.''

Moore believes the defence being restored to almost full strength - the one sure absentee is Sergio Porrini - can deliver a clean sheet and he also reckons that even the depleted attack can nick an away goal which could be so important to the Scottish champions.

He pointed out: ''We did not have Lorenzo Amoruso in the first game because of suspension and now he is clear to play again. So, obviously we shall be that little bit stronger at the back, although Tony Vidmar did exceptionally well when he took over for that match.

''I know we have injury problems up front but we should have three players available who can get score goals - Rod Wallace, Neil McCann, and Gordon Durie. Any one of them could score away from home.

''As for my own form, I am just happy to get a run in the position which I feel is my best. Before, I did not have that opportunity, but now I have had a run and my confidence has grown. In fact, I am playing as well as I have ever done.''

Moore will be asked to demonstrate that new-found belief tomorrow in the Westfalen Stadion as Rangers bid to become the first Scottish team to carry their European challenge beyond Christmas since their own run in the inaugural Champions League tournament seven years ago.