RANGERS hero Barry Ferguson has told Giovanni van Bronckhorst to ensure that his team remain focused on the Premiership ahead of their Europa League knockout clash with Borussia Dortmund.

The Premiershp champions face Marco Rose's side in Germany tonight before hosting the Bundesliga giants for the return fixture the following week as the campaign approaches a crucial juncture.

Rangers trail Celtic by a single point with 12 league games left to play and face an uphill task to progress in Europe at the expense of Dortmund.

With the big games piling up, Ferguson has called for Van Bronckhorst to pay attention to the 'bread and butter' of the league as the former Ibrox captain recalled how Rangers' run to the UEFA Cup final in 2008 left the players feeling exhausted.

Appearing on the Go Radio Football Show, Ferguson was asked if he was concerned about the build-up of European fixtures and replied: "Not from the first half of the season, where you get the break at Christmas.

"But after Christmas it does become a worry. I've been in the position myself, and it's tough playing Thursday, Sunday, Thursday, Sunday at some stage.

"Back in Walter Smith's team, it was probably the same 14 or 15 players he used throughout all those games.

"There comes a stage where you just burn out.

"It is tough on Rangers. Will he [Van Bronckhorst] make a few changes tomorrow, then make a few changes at the weekend? I think that is something he will need to look at.

"For me the bread and butter is the league. That's where the big pay cheque is at the end of the season.

"Europe is great, it can be great for the bank account, but I think Gio will look at the bigger picture and the league."