Rangers are outclassed at home

Rangers 1 FC Copenhagen 1

Rangers were outclassed on their own patch by an FC Copenhagen side that will be more than confident of reaching the Champions League at their expense in a fortnight’s time.

A 1-1 draw in which a Dane in the shape of Peter Lovenkrands scored for the Scottish side kept intact Rangers’ unbeaten home record in European competition that stretches back to 1999.

But it was an insipid performance by Alex McLeish’s side, who know they must put in a better show at the Parken later in the month.

Lovenkrands had got his side’s league campaign off to a flying start on Saturday when Kilmarnock’s goalkeeper had made a catastrophic error and this time there was another early free gift for the Dane.

Erik Mykland made the mistake of fouling Mikel Arteta near the left touchline and when the Spaniard fired in a low free kick goalkeeper Balazs Raboczki could not deal with it.

He had perhaps been startled by the pace of the ball as it whipped past bodies in the box but his punch away was only as far as Lovenkrands at the far post and he gleefully rifled home from six yards out.

It was a real present and one that the home fans were initially hoping would turn out to be worth £10million.

History almost repeated itself before the break when Craig Moore and Michael Mols combined from an Arteta corner.

Against Killie, Moore had headed the ball on and Mols had turned to net from close range off the startled goalkeeper’s face.

Exactly the same scenario was played out on this occasion up until Raboczki redeemed himself for his earlier error with a quality block.

It was to turn out to be a pivotal moment as by this time FC Copenhagen had already established themselves as a quality side and the percentage of possession they enjoyed was clearly frustrating the home fans.

Thomas Roll Larsen, who was booked in the 28th minute for a foul on Fernando Ricksen, was a constant threat on the left and elsewhere and up front Sibusiso Zuma, the South Africa international, was likewise.

Zuma forced Stefan Klos into a fine block midway through the first half and Moore and his defensive partner Zura Khizanishvili were busy men.

But both were on top of their games with Moore throwing himself in the way of shots and the Georgian showing excellent anticipation and positional sense.

Rangers at least looked solid at the back even if elsewhere they were finding the Danish champions difficult to break down.

But a nervous start to the second half cost Rangers as Copenhagen swarmed forward.

Zuma fluffed a volley after peeling away from his marker but their next attack of note, in the 51st minute, brought an equaliser for Todi Jonsson.

There was an element of luck involved when a shot was deflected off a defender to the Faroe Islander but his use of the chance was faultless – a turn and low drive from the edge of the box past Klos.

It had been nothing more than deserved and the home fans, after briefly trying to muster some encouraging noise, began to turn on the players after some more timid play.

Change was certainly needed and arrived on the hour in the shape of debutant Nuno Capucho, the summer signing from Porto, who replaced Maurice Ross to add an extra attacking option that was badly needed.

It had been a long time since the Copenhagen goal had been seriously under threat and Scotland striker Steven Thompson was sent on with 20 minutes remaining to see that it stayed that way, with the ineffective Ronald de Boer making way.

Thompson won headers and Capucho took on opponents but no clear cut chances came Rangers’ way, leaving them with a mighty task to perform in two weeks’ time if they are to reach the Champions League.

An away goal in a non-losing performance is the minimum requirement now otherwise it is back to the UEFA Cup, where last year’s unexpected tormentors Viktoria Zizkov could lie in wait once more.