Rangers put two past Haifa

Rangers 2 Maccabi Haifa 0

Rangers took themselves to within touching distance of the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup with a win over Maccabi Haifa at Ibrox.

Nacho Novo opened the scoring after just five minutes before Charlie Adam sealed the win from the penalty spot with a minute to go.

Gers may be threatening to self-destruct in the Bank of Scotland Premier League, falling 12 points adrift of leaders Celtic.

But maximum points from Group A matches against Livorno and Maccabi mean they now have a great chance of progressing in Europe.

Rangers were forced to make a late change to their line-up before kick-off.

Lionel Letizi was named on the team-sheet but it was Allan McGregor who started between the sticks, suggesting the Frenchman was injured during the warm-up.

Le Guen made three other changes to personnel following last week’s 1-1 draw with Motherwell in the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

With Sasa Papac cup-tied following his Champions League appearances for Austria Vienna, it was no surprise to see Karl Svensson drafted back in defence.

What was surprising was Julien Rodriguez being named on the bench, with midfielder Brahim Hemdani dropping back to the centre-half position he occupied in the first round against Molde.

Jeremy Clement returned from a two-month injury to fill the void left by Hemdani in midfield, while Thomas Buffel was dropped in favour of Dado Prso, but the big story of the night was the dramatic inclusion of McGregor.

He had been controversially dropped for fit-again Letizi despite a string of impressive performances and the visit of Maccabi now provided another opportunity to stake a claim for the number one jersey.

McGregor was almost called into action straight away when Gustavo Boccoli sent a fierce cross into the box but Alain Masudi just failed to connect with the header in front of goal.

Instead, it was Rangers who took the lead. Kris Boyd nodded into the path of Novo, whose drive took a slight deflection over goalkeeper Nir Davidovich and into the back of the net.

Davidovich was called into action again almost immediately to tip a Boyd header just over the crossbar.

Hemdani picked up the first booking for handball on the edge of the box but the Israelis were wasteful with the resultant free-kick.

Rangers were threatening again when Clement released Boyd into the box but he found himself closed down by two defenders before he could shoot.

Adam then saw a thunderous 35-yard drive flash just past the upright.

Maccabi tried to draw level shortly before the break when McGregor was called into action to block a Roberto Colautti effort but the offside flag was raised anyway.

Rangers should have doubled their lead within a minute of the restart when Prso was brought down in the box by Alon Harazi and referee Costas Kapitanis immediately pointed to the spot.

Boyd stepped up for the pressure kick but Davidovich guessed right and the Gers striker could only look on in disbelief as the goalkeeper blocked.

Rangers refused to give up and were denied by the woodwork moments later.

Steven Smith delivered to the feet of Barry Ferguson and his curling effort took a slight deflection before crashing off the outside of the post.

Maccabi made their first change of the evening when Boccoli made way for Maor Melikson.

Rangers then made a double substitution, Thomas Buffel replacing Prso and Filip Sebo taking the place of Boyd.

With time running out, Maccabi pushed forward in search of the equaliser and McGregor did well to block a close range effort from Melikson.

The game was then delayed for several minutes when one spectator, draped in a Palestinian flag, raced on to the pitch and handcuffed himself to the goalpost.

He was eventually freed and escorted from the field by policemen, as travelling fans waved Israeli flags.

Once the game was re-started Rangers doubled their lead from the penalty spot when Ferguson was fouled by Dirceu Xavir in the final minute.

This time, it was Adam who stepped up for the spot-kick and he succeeded where Boyd failed to blasting high into the back of the net.