Gers suffer Euro stalemate

Novo: Missed chances

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Rangers face a must-win away trip to Panathinaikos after drawing 0-0 with their Greek opponents at Ibrox in the first leg of their last 32 Uefa Cup clash.

The first 45 minutes offered little in the way of goalmouth action, but Rangers could have taken the lead when Nacho Novo broke onto a long ball from Steven Davis only to be denied by Mario Galinovic in the Panathinaikos goal.

Rangers appeared after the interval in determined mood and Galinovic, who has yet to concede in Europe this season, produced a fine double save as the shot-stopper parried a 20-yard Barry Ferguson volley and then tipped Novo's follow-up around the post.

Walter Smith introduced Daniel Cousin, who has yet to receive Fifa sanctioning for his move to Fulham, but the substitution had little impact.

Panathinaikos could have snatched a lead late on, but Rangers goalkeeper Alan McGregor produced his own double denial from Dame Ndoye to leave honours even ahead of the second leg on 21st February.

On-loan Fulham midfielder Davis made his debut but the biggest cheer when the teams were read out was reserved for fans' favourite Novo, who earned his first start since the win over Inverness in early November.

Up for challenge

The Spaniard was clearly up for the challenge, pouncing on Lee McCulloch's header within a few minutes of kick-off only to send a left-footed drive straight at goalkeeper Galinovic, who gratefully smothered.

The Greeks responded with Mikael Nilsson feeding Marcelo Mattos and his long-range effort dipped just over the crossbar. Junior Simao then had a go from 25 yards but the outcome was the same.

At the other end, only the heroics of the Pana goalkeeper denied Davis a debut goal.

Charlie Adam's charge into the box from the left flank was challenged by Giannis Goumas but his clearance broke to Davis 30 yards out, who forced Galinovic to dive smartly to his left to block the powerful effort.

A blunder from Goumas then almost gifted Rangers the opener when he tried to knock Ferguson's header back to the goalkeeper. The pass was poor and he also failed to hold off Novo, who could have claimed his seventh goal of the season had it not been for Galinovic's frantic clearance.

Novo then collected a long ball from Brahim Hemdani and powered his way into the box only to fire off the legs of the goalkeeper instead of leaving the net bulging.

McCulloch squandered a great chance to break the deadlock in the second half from Adam's corner, connecting powerfully with the inswinger and sending the header fizzing past the upright.

Growing restless

The home fans screamed for a penalty when Novo went to ground after a push from Loukas Vyntra but there appeared to be little in the incident and the pleas were ignored by the Italian referee.

The Ibrox crowd were growing restless and, with just over 20 minutes to go, Cousin was thrown into the action in place of Adam for his first appearance since agreeing his move to Fulham three weeks ago.

Galinovic was in fine form again to keep the scoreline level, first denying Ferguson's point-blank effort before clawing Novo's rebound shot from the gaping goal.

Not to be outdone, McGregor then pulled off a great save of his own.

He had pushed a Nilsson cross straight to Ndoye but the Rangers goalkeeper redeemed himself by punching his shot to safety as the tie ended goalless.