Rangers suffer first-leg defeat

Viktoria Zizkov 2, Rangers 0 (result)

Rangers’ hopes of a lengthy European run were already looking terminally ill following a 2-0 defeat in Prague.

Goals conceded in each half, plus the saving of a Barry Ferguson penalty, meant Alex McLeish’s men have a big salvage job on their hands in the second leg.

Zizkov survived a scare when a cross from Lovenkrands on the left brushed the crossbar before bouncing away.

De Boer was replaced by Michael Mols in the 74th minute before Klos had to make a near post save from Scasny, who had galloped into the box to get on the end of Straceny’s pass.

Ferguson was booked for bringing Straceny down and Pikl was only just over with the free-kick.

Rangers then sent Russell Latapy on for Caniggia with four minutes remaining.

Malcolm was booked for a touchline foul with two minutes left and once again Klos saved his side.

Pikl fired in the free-kick with venom and Klos could only divert it on to the bar.

Ferguson almost puled one back in stoppage time with a fierce drive but Kucera denied him with a save.

Arveladze had the ball in the net seconds later but Rangers had already been penalised for a foul in the build up.