Rangers rally for vital victory

CHARLIE ADAM helped Rangers claim three vital points from their Champions League opener against Stuttgart, while making a point of his own to manager Walter Smith.

The midfielder paid the price for a poor performance in a qualifier against FK Zeta in July and his involvement since then had been limited to a cameo role in the return leg in Montenegro.

He was thrown back into the top team at Ibrox last night in place of the suspended Lee McCulloch and made the most of the opportunity by canceling out Mario Gomez’s opener before Jean-Claude Darcheville secured the win from the penalty spot.

Rangers were under pressure in the opening minutes when Roberto Hilbert tried to pick out Gomez with a dangerous cross from the right. Carlos Cuellar intercepted but his clearance smacked off the post.

Rangers gradually began to grow in confidence and Adam tried his luck with an ambitious half-volley from 35 yards, which fell just over the crossbar.

Adam then set up Ferguson for the header in front of goal only for the skipper to glance wide of target.

The best chance of the game then fell to Darcheville, who looked certain to open the scoring.He charged into the box only for Schafer to somehow keep his point-blank shot out of the net.

Rangers attempted to grab the game by the scruff of the neck after the break and Ferguson released Whittaker down the right flank with a well-placed pass.

However, Darcheville failed to read the move, forcing Whittaker to go it alone, his drive easily smothered.

There was concern for Rangers when Ferguson suffered a head knock and was forced out of the action for almost five minutes to receive treatment, during which time Stuttgart took advantage of their extra man and surged into the lead.

Gomez demonstrated exactly why he was named Germany’s player of the year last season by helping himself to the opener after 55 minutes.

Sami Khedira’s pass may have initially been intended for Cacau but he remained static, while Gomez made the run before flicking past McGregor into the back of the net.

Undeterred, Rangers were back on level terms seven minutes later.

Alan Hutton’s superb run took him past four red shirts before setting up Adam, who gleefully lashed past the helpless Schafer.

Stuttgart tried to hit back through Cacau but the Brazilian hitman was denied by the foot of McGregor, before Whittaker rifled wide at the other end. Rangers were then gifted the lead when Italian referee Stefano Farina pointed to the spot after a clumsy challenge from Stuttgart skipper Fernando Meira on Hutton.

Darcheville stepped up to blast past Schafer from 12 yards with 74 minutes gone and Ibrox erupted as Rangers secured a crucial win on match day one.

RANGERS: McGregor, Hutton, Cuellar, Weir, Papac, Hemdani, Whittaker (Faye 86), Ferguson, Adam (Beasley 67), Thomson, Darcheville (Novo 83).

VFB STUTTGART: Schafer, Osorio, Tasci, Fernando Meira, Boka, Pardo, Hilbert, Khedira (Basturk 77), Da Silva (Ewerthon 70), Cacau, Gomez.

Referee: Stefano Farina (Italy).