Rangers earned a hard-fought 0-0 draw with Fiorentina in the UEFA Cup semi-final at Ibrox on Thursday night to leave the tie wide open ahead of the Scottish's sides visit to Florence next week.

Rangers goalkeeper Neil Alexander was making his European debut due to Allan McGregor's absence through injury -- and his first task was to deal with a ferocious left-foot shot from Romanian Adrian Mutu.

Rangers emerged after the interval in a more positive frame of mind and a long pass clipped forward by Kirk Broadfoot released Nacho Novo through on goal.

Sasa Papac's free-kick into the box found its way to Christian Dailly at the far post via Cuellar -- but he nodded across the goalmouth and agonisingly wide.

Fiorentina were denied late on a winner, but it now seems to be heading towards the second leg to see who will make the apperance in the final. At the moment it looks to be advantage Fiorentina.