Rangers fate in the balance after goalless draw
Paul Le Guen mildly happy with draw
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Thursday, 14, Sep 2006 11:35
Rangers escaped Norway with a draw after a workmanlike display held Molde at bay and earned Paul Le Guen's team a 0-0 draw.
Entertainment was low in an uninspiring game which leaves the second leg at Ibrox finely balanced.
Gers' goalkeeper Allan McGregor was called into action inside the first five minutes as Molde opened with an attacking momentum that they failed to maintain.
Daniel Berg Hestad's long-range effort demanded a smart stop before Stian Ohr headed the rebound wide.
Kris Boyd and on-loan forward Lee Martin both glimpsed goal for the visitors, before Libor Sionko went as close as any Rangers' player would all night when opposition defender Matej Mavric scrambled his effort off the line.
McGregor kept his concentration well throughout the second half as between periods of inactivity he was tested by Hoseth and Mavric.
But there were also spared by referee Jacek Granat's lenience when he turned down Madiou Konate's strong penalty appeals after a clash with Julien Rodriguez.
As Molde pressure increased as the game to a close, Rangers held on and will probably settle for having to beat the Norwegians back in Glasgow in order to progress.