Football story by Brian Watters, Wed, 07 Dec 2005 13:24:00 GMT


A 1-1 draw at Ibrox against Inter Milan saw Rangers secure a point and book second place in the Champions League Group H, just behind the Italians. In doing so Rangers became the first Scottish club to qualify out of the group stages into the final stage of the competition; this despite the enourmous pressure on their manager who faces a day to day threat of the sack due to the clubs poor Scottish Premier league form.

Peter Lovenkrands, hero on the night for Rangers, justified the faith reposed in him by the coach Alex McLeish, who played him as a lone striker.

Buffel swiftly passed to the fast moving Lovenkrands, who galloped towards Francesco Toldo to drive his shot through the advancing goalkeeper for what was a superb equaliser in the thirty eighth minute. Eight minutes earlier, the Italian Team forcing quite a few of corner kicks converted the third courtesy Brazilian striker Adriano.

Following this, the news of Artmedia's scoreless draw against Porto in Bratislava sent the home fans into state of delirium.

The Scottish team were on the move right from the beginning with build-ups from midfield and long strikes over the top. However, the Italian team was up to its task by defending doughtily and cleverly.

Rangers were also cautious and didn't get sucked into any careless play; on the night they played well and didn't make unforced errors unlike recent Scottish league performances.

But this might still not be enough to salvage the career of McLeish under whom Rangers were knocked out of the League Cup and managed to secure only the fifth place in the Scottish Premier League.

“I'm not going to be drawn on my future tonight after such a great result,” said McLeish after the match. He added: “I'll discuss my future with the chairman over the next 48 hours and we'll then have something to say rather than there being a frenzy in the media. The decision will be made for what is best for Rangers and what is best for Alex McLeish.”

Lovenkrands created a chance in the first twenty minutes too along with Hamed Namouchi where both hit cross balls. Inter Milan player Cristiano Zanetti was sent off with just five minutes to go.

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