Whittaker scores

By FOS Editor
February 17 2011

Rangers will have to win away from home to make it through in the Europa League after losing a late goal to make it 1-1.

Sporting started the better side and put Rangers under pressure early on in the first half. As the half went on Rangers came more into it and Lafferty squandered a couple of chances to give Rangers the lead.

There were no changes in the Rangers line up at the break but there was a change in tempo as Rangers stepped it up in an effort to take the lead.

The increased tempo from Rangers pays dividends as good work from Diouf earned a corner. Vladimir Weiss swung in an excellent delivery and Steven Whittaker rose highest to thump home a header from seven yards in 66 minutes.

Rangers were punished for sitting deep and not closing down their opponents as Joao Pereira speeds down the right flank and delivers a cross for the unmarked Matias Fernandez to steer into the bottom corner of the net with his head.

In the end Rangers will have to travel to Lisbon knowing they will have to score an away goal if the want to progress. This may be the stumbling block for the Ibrox men who are used to sitting in and looking for a draw and looking not to lose goals.