Rangers 1 - 1 Sporting Lisbon: Rangers suffer cruel blow as Sporting strike at death

RANGERS were undone by a late goal from Sporting Lisbon last night having sat back on a lead that had appeared to give the Ibrox side every chance of progressing to the last 16 of the Europa League.

Steven Whittaker proved a threat all night and his 66th minute opener ignited Rangers' hopes ahead of next week's trip to Portugal. Sporting were again the victims of Whittaker's versatility as he vindicated manager Walter Smith's decision to push the full-back into midfield.

But substitute Matias Fernandez's 89th minute equaliser was a cruel blow for Rangers. With a flick of his head the striker tipped the balance of the tie back in Sporting's favour.

There was room for regret for Rangers since they had looked worth their lead until committing the sin of allowing Sporting to push them further and further back towards their own goal-line.

Joao Pereira was given time on the ball to cross for Fernandez, who directed a firm header into the corner past Allan McGregor. It means Rangers will now need to score in Lisbon, although they have recent reason to believe that they can.

It wasn't the end of the world if Rangers did not score last night but it was preferable if Sporting were also to remain frustrated in front of goal.

It seemed a forlorn hope in the first half as Sporting turned on the style. Confident in possession of the ball, they should have made their pressure count, although Rangers still threatened on the break.

Kyle Lafferty flicked a header just over after Whittaker had whipped in a cross. The striker did the same at the end of the half following a cross from Vladimir Weiss, from the other flank.

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But, for Sporting, Joao Postiga and Yannick Djalo had proved a pair of menaces. Yannick, especially, caught the eye, and was thwarted by a vital McGregor block as he attempted to lift the ball over the goalkeeper. Postiga then put a header just past the post. Rangers had attempted to ask some questions of the Sporting defence but were being pressed for answers at the other end too.

Smith may insist he has a first-team squad which numbers only 16 players, but he is still capable of conjuring up a surprise or two.

Richard Foster was brought into the side, possibly to provide some Europa League experience. He had played in the competition with Aberdeen and the right-back's presence allowed Whittaker to push up into the midfield role he occupied with devastating effect after coming on as substitute in Lisbon three years ago.His magnificent solo goal sealed the tie on that occasion, after Rangers had been held 0-0 at home by Sporting.

The same outcome last night would not have disappointed anyone at Rangers, although Smith did loosen slightly the shackles in which his side are often placed when sent out onto a European stage.

El Hadji Diouf played just off Lafferty in a 4-4-1-1 formation. Sporting had reason to be offended by the insinuation. Smith clearly felt that the currently struggling Portuguese club were vulnerable, although the opening stages last night appeared to disprove a theory that had its origins in some recent faltering league form from Sporting.

The visitors began slickly enough, with Pedro Mendes, the former Rangers midfielder, directing operations from just in front of the back four. In front of him patrolled Maniche, who pulled a shot past the post in the early stages. Postiga also went close with a shot on the turn as Sporting sought to catch Rangers cold.

There was further concern for the home fans when Madjid Bougherra went down holding his shoulder after a collision with Postiga. But the Algerian defender eventually got to his feet again, clearly intending to play on. Kyle Bartley, who had been sent to quickly warm up on the touchline, returned to his seat in the dug-out.

It further highlighted the context of last night's game, scheduled as it was for just four days before Sunday's crucial Old Firm fixture. You could almost hear the intake of breath when Bougherra fell to the ground. Steven Naismith was also not risked among the starters last night and nursed his hamstring strain on the substitutes' bench.

It was in midfield where Rangers needed to get a grip of the ball. They had seemed too tentative, perhaps with Sunday's clash in mind. Sporting, however, deserved to occupy Rangers' thoughts, and the home side soon warmed to the task in hand. Steven Davis had been caught in possession too often, once, almost crucially, on the edge of his own box. Diouf, meanwhile, was booked for simulation on the edge of the penalty area at the other end.

But Rangers sought to sweep such setbacks aside with a more forceful start to the second half.

Whittaker, Rangers' most potent attacking weapon, should perhaps have scored just a minute after the re-start and following a Lafferty flick-on, but his shot was tipped wide by Rui Patricio. It was another signal of Whittaker's intent. The goal which he had threatened to provide for much of the game would soon come.

Rangers had certainly found another gear and were occupying positions higher up the park. Lafferty lofted a casual effort over the bar when he might have taken the ball in nearer, though it was clear he had expected to be called offside. The will to attack was clearly there from Rangers but it was not always possible.

Sporting countered with their own spell of pressure.A low rumble of dissatisfaction trembled around the stadium as Maniche and Mendes re-asserted their influence and Cristiano rifled a shot just past the post.

But Weiss helped relieve the pressure with a thrilling run which was halted in a cynical manner by Daniel Carrico, the Sporting skipper. Whittaker's first attempt from the free-kick hit the wall, his second was lashed over the crossbar. It was Diouf who provided the spark required by Rangers, rounding his marker and sending in a dangerous cross that had to be cleared for a corner by Carrico, with Weiss in attendance.

The Slovakian had looked set to be the opening goalscorer but he quickly turned goal provider. From his corner an unmarked Whittaker was able to make Diouf's original run count for something as he planted a fierce header past Patricio, with 66 minutes on the clock.

It might not have been quite so easy on the eye as his memorable strike against the same opponents in 2008, however it could yet prove a more significant one.

Rangers: McGregor, Foster, Bougherra, Weir, Papac, Whittaker, Edu, Davis, Weiss, Diouf, Lafferty. Subs Not Used: Alexander, Fleck, Naismith, Healy, Bartley, Wylde, Hutton. Booked: Bougherra, Diouf, Weiss, Lafferty.

Sporting: Rui Patricio, Joao Pereira, Daniel Carrico, Anderson Polga, Evaldo, Mendes, Maniche (Fernandez 77), Zapater, Cristiano (Carlos Saleiro 74), Postiga (Diogo Solomao 85), Djalo. Subs Not Used: Tiago, Andre Santos, Coelho, Vukcevic. Booked: Djalo, Daniel Carrico.