UEFA CUP/ Sporting Lisbon 0 Rangers 2 (Rangers win 2-0 on agg):RANGERS' QUEST for four trophies this season, was prolonged by Jean-Claude Darcheville's strike on the hour mark and a magnificent solo effort from Steven Whittaker in stoppage time which eased them into the Uefa Cup semi-final.
Fiorentina lie in wait for Rangers in the semi-finals, with the City of Manchester Stadium on May 14th no longer a pipe dream. Sporting Lisbon, comfortable in returning a scoreless draw from their trip to Glasgow eight days ago, proved unable to impose themselves on proceedings for any concerted time on their own turf. Such failings were pounced upon by Darcheville and Whittaker, with Rangers troubled little thereafter and fully deserving of victory.
But second half bookings for Kevin Thomson and the captain Barry Ferguson mean they will miss the first leg against the Italians through suspension.
The visitors opened brightly and Darcheville missed a glorious chance to open the scoring when sent clean through on goal by Brahim Hemdani within five minutes. Rangers went on to dominate the early exchanges.
There was a rare moment of panic when Liesden headed a Leandro Romagnoli free kick against Allan McGregor's post but Smith's men looked comfortable. The visitors' only failing during a satisfying first-half was that Darcheville, their sole attacker, was often too exposed to make a meaningful impression on Sporting's defence although Lee McCulloch crashed a 20-yard shot against the onrushing Tonel seconds before the interval.
Simon Vukcevic glanced a header wide as the hosts opened the second period with vigour.
But the home side's dreams were left in tatters when Darcheville combined with Steven Davis in a rapid counter-attack and side-footed beyond Rui Patricio from eight yards. Whittaker rounded off the night with a cool finish following a 50-yard burst from midfield.
SPORTING: Rui Patricio, Abel, Gladstone (Bruno Pereirinha 69), Tonel, Grimi (Tiui 76), Joao Moutinho, Veloso, Romagnoli, Izmailov (Djalo 62), Liedson, Vukcevic. Subs not used: Tiago, Adrien Silva, Ronny, Farnerud.
RANGERS: McGregor, Broadfoot, Cuellar, Dailly, Papac, Hemdani, Davis, Ferguson, Thomson, McCulloch (Whittaker 77), Darcheville (Cousin 72). Subs not used: Alexander, Boyd, Novo, Burke, Naismith. Booked: Thomson, Broadfoot, McCulloch, Ferguson, Papac.
Referee: Konrad Plautz(Austria).
- Guardian Service
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