Szymanski double asks something extra of Rangers

An often pulsating, reliably frustrating 90 minutes left Rangers needing to summon a fresh wind if they were to overcome Fenerbahce.

- Nick Ames

They had José Mourinho's side where they wanted them until Sebastian Szymanski halved the first-leg deficit with a superb opener just before the interval. When Szymanski levelled things in the 73rd minute it seemed Barry Ferguson was in line for a harsh lesson from the old master, but the interim head coach could cajole Rangers for another push in front of a skittish, raucous Ibrox that still smelt one of its famous European nights.

"In the eye of a Rangers storm," read a banner displayed before kick-off, displaying the logos of their four vanquished group stage opponents but tactfully omitting Fenerbahce for now. The job was only half-done but there was the tantalising prospect that an early tornado could all but complete it.

They roared when Cyriel Dessers, scorer of their opener last week, hared on to a ball down the right channel and the decibel level rose further when Nicolas Raskin's burst to the byline yielded a corner. Mourinho had brought Fred, suspended for the initial meeting, back into midfield but Fenerbahce's problems appeared familiar.