rangers frustrated as kaunas stand firm published: wednesday 30 july 2008, 23.30cet rangers fc 0-0 fbk kaunas walter smith was left with plenty to ponder as the uefa cup runners-up were held by lithuania's finest.
by alex o'henley from glasgow
fbk kaunas were delighted to leave glasgow with a 0-0 draw after holding rangers fc in the first leg of their uefa champions league second qualifying round tie.
realistic chance the lithuanian champions lost 4-1 on their last visit to ibrox eight years ago, but josé couceiro's side survived the predicted onslaught from last season's uefa cup finalists to give themselves a realistic chance of progressing when this contest concludes next tuesday.
close efforts kaunas made the brighter start with linas pilibaitis and rafael ledesma threatening allan mcgregor's goal in the opening 20 minutes. however, rangers asserted themselves thereafter and kenny miller and jean-claude darcheville were unfortunate to see efforts cleared off the line before half-time.
profligate the scottish team picked up where they left off after the break but continued to be profligate in front of goal, prompting kevin thomson and lee mcculloch to try their luck with long-range attempts as the blue shirts pressed for a breakthrough. substitute nacho novo had a shot kicked off the line five minutes from time, summing up rangers' night and leaving manager walter smith with plenty to ponder over the next six days.
