Franck Haise expects Rangers to raise their game in the Europa League once again as Philippe Clement targets a much-needed win over Nice.

The former Monaco manager has returned to the south of France aiming to all-but secure a place in the next round of the competition following impressive showings against Malmo, FCSB and Olympiacos. Victory in Nice would be a welcome boost for Clement on the back of the furious reaction to the draw with Dundee United on Saturday that raised further questions over his future at Ibrox.

Rangers are well off the pace in the Premiership after a dreadful run of domestic form this term. But they head into matchday five with the chance to pick up where they left off following the draw in Athens last time out.

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Nice are in desperate need of the three points to kick-start their own Europa League campaign. And Haise knows what to expect from a Rangers outfit that have looked far more accomplished on the continent than they have in the Premiership.

“We know how important it is to win the game because we haven’t won yet in the Europa League,” Haise said. “But there are still four games to go, that’s 12 points. I don’t want to put pressure on the players because they know what’s at stake.

“I know that in the league that they are always expected to be ranked high. They are expected to be at the top. Unfortunately they have had some average results. But I have watched them in the Europa League and it’s a team, even against Lyon, that always seems to play very well. They can raise the bar in Europe.

“I am glad to meet the manager again, I had a good relationship with him. I am glad to be playing against him. What will we find in his team? We have only been analysing the games in the Scottish leagues. Philippe has deep knowledge of the French league and of Nice and what we can do. I don't want to reveal too many pieces of information, but they don't have too many flaws when you see their European games.”

The highs and lows of matters on the field were put into perspective for Haise on Sunday after he suffered severe headaches during the win over Strasbourg on Saturday. The 53-year-old was taken to hospital for assessment before being given the all-clear to return to work and take his place in the dugout against Clement.

Haise will be without suspended duo Sofiane Diop and Moïse Bombito, while skipper Dante and forward Jérémy Boga did not train on the eve of the Rangers clash. And Haise sought to reassure Nice supporters that he has no concerns over his own health as he prepares to head-to-head with Clement once again.

“As you can see I feel better,” Haise said. “I have been doing some exams on Sunday and even yesterday. We could see that everything was okay and that my blood pressure was okay.

“It is true I had some issues on Sunday and that’s why I went to the emergency services. But I got treatment and I am okay. Maybe if we had scored the third goal against Strasbourg then I wouldn't have had this intense headache.

"But I will be there, I will be there with my players. What I experienced on Sunday I never experienced in the past and I have been doing this for 21 years.

“It helped me realise I had a problem to solve. Every coach hates defeat, every coach has a way of showing it. Like any passionate job you find it hard to keep it all inside, sometimes it aches.”