Neil Smith reports from Ibrox

RANGERS' chances of qualifying for the semi-final stage of the UEFA Cup hang in the balance after a frustrating goalless draw against Sporting Lisbon at Ibrox.

Walter Smith's side once again gave everything throughout the 90 minutes but failed to produce the quality displayed in the club's memorable 1-0 win over Old Firm rivals Celtic on Saturday.

It was clear that Sporting and their travelling support were relatively pleased with the outcome this evening but, having not conceeded an away goal, the Light Blues still have a fighting chance of progressing further in the competition.

It was one of those nights that nothing came off for the Gers who looked tired at the end of yet another gruelling shift.

Nevertheless, they live to fight another day and can only play better in next week's second leg in the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

Euro specialists Brahim Hemdani and Sasa Papac were drafted back in to the starting eleven to face the Portuguese outfit.

Smith decided to recall the duo in place of Steven Whittaker and Christian Dailly who were named on the bench.

As expected the gaffer stuck by his tried and trusted 4-1-4-1 formation with Papac slotting in at left-back alongside Kirk Broadfoot, Carlos Cuellar and Davie Weir.

Hemdani was asked to provide additional defensive cover behind a midfield four of Steven Davis, Barry Ferguson, Kevin Thomson and Lee McCulloch.

Jean-Claude Darcheville was again given the nod in attack with the hope his pace and power would terrorise the Green and White's rearguard.

The atmosphere within Ibrox was electrifying prior to kick-off as you would expect and there was an early concern for Lisbon boss Paulo Bento when star striker Liedson was stretchered off after challenging David Weir for the ball.

After a bit of theatrics the Brazilian returned to the play but failed to light up the game in the manner predicted pre-match.

Rangers made a positive start to the game and a powerful burst from Darcheville into the Sporting half resulted in Lee McCulloch having the first shot of the match from 25 yards which failed to trouble keeper Rui Patricio.

The visitors, however, did not waste any time in showing their crisp passing and elusive movement and it was clear this was not going to be an easy night for the Light Blues.

Referee Iouri Baskarov was noted as being a strict disciplinarian and he lived up to his reputation on 11 minutes when he issued a yellow card to Barry Ferguson for a innocuous challenge on Joao Moutinho.

The Sporting captain did not help matters by collapsing to the deck as if he had been shot by a sniper from the Govan Stand.

On 17 minutes Rangers created another another decent opportunity when Broadfoot released Darcheville on the right wing.

The Frenchman skipped past a defender but, after waiting for support, his final cross was disappointing.

The fixture started to get a bit nasty even at this early stage and a late challenge on Ferguson by Marat Izmailov resulted in yet another booking.

The same player was then given a warning from the Russian official when he raised his elbow into Kevin Thomson's face when going for a 50/50 header.

The opening half hour was what you would expect with Rangers battling away and trying to make the most of a couple of corners that came their way.

Sporting, however, showed that in central defensive pairing Tonel and Polga they had two players in a similar mould to Weir and Cuellar at the other end.

Bremen hero Allan McGregor had very little to do in the opening period, indeed Lisbon's first shot on goal came on 37 minutes when Simon Vukcevic cut in from the right wing and hit a low, speculative shot which Greegs easily gathered.

McCulloch was to get the fans off their seats with a 30-yard drive which produced a good save from Patricio but overall this was a half lacking in any real invention or flair.

Neither manager made any substitutions for the restart and Rangers were to come out of the traps quickly as they looked for a crucial opening goal.

On 49 minutes Darcheville picked the ball up on the left flank and his dinked cross almost found the head of Barry Ferguson who had broken clear from midfield.

Moments later Ferguson found Davies in space and the on-loan star blasted a shot from 20 yards into the Copland Road end of the stadium.

Sporting continued to be a threat and when Kirk Broadfoot was easily dispossessed midway into the opponent's half they broke with intent and McGregor had to be lively to palm away a decent effort from Argentinean left-back Leandro Grimi.

Lisbon again struggled to maintain their discipline for periods in the second-half and this was evident on 58 minutes when Liedson was booked for holding the ball and stopping Rangers from taking a quick free-kick.

The visitors, however, also showed moments of class and a low shot from Izmailov on 66 minutes had McGregor diving to his right to make a tidy save.

With 70 minutes gone frustration was starting to creep into the four Ibrox stands with Rangers failing to hit top gear as a bit of fatigue setting in.

At this same time Bento elected to make his first alteration with Bruno Pereirinha replacing Izmailov.

The Rangers fans demanded for the introduction of Nacho Novo and they got their wish when the Spaniard was thrown on in place of Darcheville.

A little bit more sharpness and Nacho could have had his first chance within seconds of entering the play.

Ferguson's overhead shot come cross was ushered out for a goal-kick by Polga but had Novo shown a bit more conviction he may well have got in front of his marker and had a clear shot on goal.

With nine minutes remaining the Gers again pushed forward in search of a winner and when Davis found space in Sporting's 18-yard box his cut back from the by-line was almost turned into the net by Tonel.

The biggest blow of the night for Rangers came with three minutes remaining when Davie Weir fouled substitute Yannick Djalo 25 yards from goal and recieved a booking which will rule him out of next week's second-leg.

This was not a game for football purists but the final result will give Walter Smith's side hope of going to Portugal and getting an away goal which could now prove decisive.