Rangers battle to a draw

Scottish giants Rangers handed Sporting Lisbon a great chance to take advantage as the Scots failed to capitalise on home advantage and play out a 0-0 draw at Ibrox on Thursday evening in the UEFA Cup.

The Portuguese visitors cancelled out the 'Gers to produce a goalless quarter-final first leg. Rangers captain Barry Ferguson failed to convert a string of chances, forcing a fine first-half save from Lisbon keeper Rui Patricio and heading inches wide.

The Glasgow giants are now due to travel to Lisbon next Thursday, and hope to seal a meeting with Fiorentina or PSV Eindhoven in the semi-finals.

The Scottish Premier League leaders are still in with a chance of winning four trophies this season.

Fans looking for lucky omens have taken heart from the fact that the only other meeting between Rangers and Sporting came before the Ibrox side won the European Cup Winners Cup in 1972.

Rangers' best chance arrived seven minutes into the second half when Ferguson fed Steven Davis inside the defending Grimi, only for the strike to flash past the near post.

Rangers now face the difficult trip to Portugal, with the side that knocked out Bolton now looking clear favorites.