Rangers win UEFA Cup semi-final

RANGERS have won their UEFA Cup semi-final against Fiorentina 4-2 on penalties, after an aggregate score of 0-0, and will play Zenit St Petersburg in the final in Manchester on May 14.

Rangers found themselves under pressure early on when a Steven Whittaker foul on Martin Jorgensen provided Fiorentina with a free-kick in a dangerous area.

Fabio Liverani presided over the set-piece 25 yards out but failed to trouble Rangers goalkeeper Neil Alexander, who gathered comfortably at the far post.

Chances were few and far between for both sides in a cagey opening spell and Riccardo Montolivo eventually tried his luck with a shot from distance. Alexander was again up to the task.

A scuffed shot from Adrian Mutu was also collected by the goalkeeper before Montolivo blasted well over.

La Viola continued to press and a cross from Massimo Gobbi was fumbled by Alexander before being hooked to safety by the Gers defence.

Thomson, back in action after serving a European ban, then picked up the first booking of the game for dissent with 28 minutes gone after fouling Mario Alberto Santana.

Good play between Ferguson and Darcheville allowed Rangers to push into the box shortly before the break but the offside flag was raised before Ferguson could unleash a shot.

Donadel then hobbled out of the action four minutes before the interval and was replaced by Zdravko Kuzmanovic, as the Italians reverted to the starting XI from the first leg at Ibrox.

With so much at stake, chances were few and far between in the opening 45 minutes at the Artemio Franchi Stadium.

Only the heroics of Alexander kept the scoreline level when Liverani tapped a free-kick to Mutu and the goalkeeper did well to block a thunderous shot from the Romanian.

Alexander failed to hold the ball but managed to smother just in time as Pazzini bore down on goal for the rebound.

Weir and Cousin both went in the referee's book before Davis saw his flick held by Sebastien Frey after the Viola goalkeeper's defence had failed to clear the danger.

Christian Vieri was introduced to the action with 10 minutes to go and he immediately squandered a great opportunity, stumbling over the ball in front of goal and allowing Alexander to come to the rescue again.

With the clock running down, Davis made way for Novo but it was Whittaker who drew an excellent save from Frey as the 90 minutes ended goalless.

Rangers held their nerve and beat Fiorentina 4-2 on penalties.

Fiorentina v Rangers

Fiorentina: Frey, Jorgensen, Gamberini, Ujfalusi, Gobbi, Donadel, Liverani, Montolivo, Santana, Pazzini, Mutu. Subs: Avramov, Dainelli, Semioli, Osvaldo, Kuzmanovic, Pasqual, Vieri.

Rangers: Alexander, Broadfoot, Cuellar, Weir, Papac, Hemdani, Davis, Ferguson, Thomson, Whittaker, Darcheville. Subs: Graeme Smith, Buffel, Boyd, Novo, Cousin, Dailly, Faye. Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium)