Uefa Cup: Rangers held by Sporting
Rangers failed to make the most of their home advantage after being held to a goalless draw by Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of their Uefa Cup quarter-final.Walter Smith's side failed to create any real golden opportunities in an often physical and uninspiring contest.
Lisbon, who have failed to win on all six of their previous visits to Scotland, started brightly with midfield duo Miguel Veloso and Joao Moutinho showing their undoubted quality.
But the visitors struggled to cope with Rangers' more physical approach to proceedings, with Barry Fergsuon seeing yellow for a late tackle on Moutinho.
Lee McCulloch came closest for SPL side, his long-range piledriver was tipped around the post by Rui Patricio just before the break.
Neither side managed to create anything of note in a disjointed second-half, with Rangers' final ball a source of constant frustration for an expectant Ibrox.
And with the hosts beginning to tire, Sporting looked the more likely to find the breakthrough and with it a precious away goal.
The introduction of Portugal under-21 starlet Bruno Pereirinha gave some much needed spice to the visitors attack, but the Scottish side held out and will now travel to Lisbon next week knowing a score draw will be enough to send them into the semi-finals of the competition.
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