Louis van Gaal is a disciple and master philosopher of Total Football. The AZ Alkmaar coach, predictably, joined the lobbyists who consider Rangers' defiant grind to the UEFA Cup final an affront to the principles of the game.

Nevertheless, van Gaal willingly set up his team to emulate Rangers' abrasive style in a 2-2 draw against Zenit St Petersburg at the DSB Stadium in Alkmaar on Saturday night.

Dick Advocaat's experiment was not without its teething troubles and two defensive lapses left Rangers' spies, Ally McCoist and Ian Durrant, returning home with optimism.

Van Gaal said: "I'm a coach who loves attacking football and I think Glasgow Rangers are bad for football. Because when we all play defensive football, then you do not see a football match. You see something boring.

"Rangers are less creative than the Russian players. I think Zenit are favourites, they have to be, but they are the attacking team and it's always difficult to play against a defensive team. The danger is that even defensive teams like Rangers will create chances and if they score, then it is going to be very difficult for Zenit."

Walter Smith is impervious to such criticism but van Gaal at least acknowledged that Rangers are a work in progress for the manager who has been in charge for 17 months.

"I understand why Rangers play as they do," said van Gaal. "When you are not so good and playing a superior opponent you have to come up with the tactics required to win the game.

"When you win the game, it is good for the coach because the attacking qualities of Glasgow Rangers are not as creative as the players of Zenit. So they have to find some way to win. It's going to be a battle, that's for sure, and it's down to who wins the battle."

Rangers have prevailed against improbable odds throughout the competition. Victory against Werder Bremen remains the ultimate feat of endurance, not least during the 1-0 defeat in Germany. Sporting Lisbon were swept aside away from home and Fiorentina wilted against Rangers' uncompromising resistance in the semi-final.

"I respect Walter Smith as a coach," said van Gaal. "The trainer of any team has to create a tactic to win, that's all. If Rangers played an open game with Zenit, with both teams attacking freely, then there is no doubt Zenit would win.

"Because of that, he has created defensive tactics which I don't like, but which I respect. Maybe Walter has another tactic in his mind for the final, you never know. I hope the best team wins on Wednesday."