Rangers could not build on Steven Whittaker's 66th-minute goal

Manager Walter Smith was frustrated to lose a lead at home but believes Rangers can overcome Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League.

"There wasn't much between the teams," said Smith after the first leg of the tie finished 1-1 at Ibrox.

"In the second half, once we put them under pressure, we created enough opportunities to suggest we can score over there.

"If we play like we did for 35 minutes in the second half, I'll be happy."

The Portuguese visitors enjoyed the bulk of possession in the first half but Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty spurned two good headed chances before the interval.

Smith's men upped the tempo and played with greater aggression after the break.

With Sporting pinned back for long spells, the breakthrough came on 66 minutes, with Steven Whittaker heading home from a Vladimir Weiss corner.

However, Rangers were guilty of sitting too deep in the closing stages and Matias Fernandez headed an equaliser with 89 minutes on the clock.

There was still time for Lafferty to have three attempts at goal but each effort went straight at goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

I'm sure both teams will think they've got a chance David Weir Rangers captain

"I was a little disappointed with the way we played in the first half; our possession of the ball wasn't what it should have been," explained Smith.

"I thought we played very well in the second half but we allowed Sporting too much of the ball after we scored."

Smith stuck with the same XI throughout the match and defended his choice not to use any of his substitutes.

"There were not many changes we could have made that would have made a great deal of difference," he said.

"We thought we could maybe catch them on the break but we didn't and we're disappointed after dictating most of the second half."

Rangers captain David Weir made one vital tackle in the first half to prevent two opponents bursting into the penalty box.

But he did not think Sporting posed much of a threat after the interval.

"It was disappointing, I didn't see it coming," he said of their equaliser. "I don't think they created a lot in the second half.

"I thought we had a couple of half-chances to make it 2-0, but it's a funny one at 1-0, you don't know whether to stick or twist.

"The tie's still wide open, there's still all to play for, and I'm sure both teams will think they've got a chance."

Sporting coach Paulo Sergio was satisfied with the result but admits his side will have to work hard at home to reach the last 16.

"First of all we tried to win but at the end of this game a draw is a good result for us," he said.

"We had control of the game and had three or four chances in the first half and Rangers had one.

"They scored a goal from a corner in the second half and we had to take more risks.

"We created chances and got the goal that put us in a better position for the second leg.

"We are still going to have a lot of work to do in that game. We have a lot of respect for Rangers and we will need to do the same, if not more, in the second leg."

Rangers substitute Jamie Ness picked up a groin injury in the warm-up and Smith said the young midfielder was a doubt for Sunday's Old Firm clash.

However, the manager was not overly worried to see Madjid Bougherra holding his shoulder after a first-half tumble, which did not prevent the defender finishing the game.

"I don't think there's a great deal wrong with him," said Smith.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version