Two howlers from goalkeeper Tim Wiese gifted Rangers a 2-0 win over Werder Bremen in the last 16 of the Uefa Cup.
Werder goalkeeper suffers torrid night at Ibrox
Two howlers from goalkeeper Tim Wiese gifted Rangers a 2-0 first-leg victory over Werder Bremen at Ibrox in the last 16 of the Uefa Cup.
Wiese made a hash of two shots from Daniel Cousin either side of half-time to firstly gift the Rangers forward a goal before setting up a second for Steven Davis.
The first half was a frantic affair and both Wiese and Rangers shot-stopper Allan McGregor were required to make fine saves from Charlie Adam and Markus Rosenberg, respectively, in the early stages.
However, on the stroke of half-time Cousin - who was restored to Walter Smith's starting line-up following Fifa's decision to block his proposed move to Fulham - hit a speculative 35-yard effort at goal which Wiese managed to fumble over his own head and into the back of the net.
And three minutes after the interval Wiese picked up where he left off as he poorly palmed a Cousin cross-shot straight into the path of Davis for a simple close range finish.
Advantage
On 86 minutes Rangers could have extended their aggregate advantage for their trip to the north of Germany next week, but Werder centre-back Naldo somehow superbly tackled substitute Lee McCulloch from behind with Wiese stranded.
Cousin was deployed as the lone striker in the absence of Jean-Claude Darcheville, who was serving the last of a three-match European ban.
Brahim Hemdani was drafted into the midfield to provide stability alongside Christian Dailly, allowing Barry Ferguson to play further forward, while Sasa Papac was given the nod ahead of Steven Whittaker at left-back.
Adam held onto his place in the team at the expense of McCulloch and made the most of the opportunity in the opening minute as he drew a superb save from Wiese with a powerful drive from the edge of the box.
The midfielder then tried his luck again with an audacious lob from a yard inside the opposition half after spotting Wiese well off his line, but fortunately for Bremen - who sit second in the Bundesliga - he was just off target.
Goalmouth
The Germans also managed a few ventures forward and Rosenberg clearly fancied his chances after bagging a double against Borussia Dortmund at the weekend.
His long-ranger was well-struck but McGregor did well to palm to safety and keep the scoreline level.
A couple of free-kicks allowed Rangers to pile on the pressure at the other end as Adam delivered an inviting ball into the packed goalmouth and Ferguson got a touch in front of goal.
But the Rangers skipper failed to mark his record-breaking 77th European appearance with a goal when Wiese produced a point-blank save.
Rangers, though, took the lead in the 45th minute in stunning style as Wiese managed to get both hands to the ball, but Cousin's optimistic long-range effort was only helped into the net.
Rocking
Ibrox was rocking as the second half began and just when the Rangers faithful thought their night could not get any better, it did.
Davis started the move when he released Cousin out on the right flank and the striker's angled drive was tamely parried by Wiese.
And Davis followed up to net his first goal for Rangers since joining on loan from Fulham in January.
Ferguson then saw a long-range shot deflected wide as Rangers cranked up the pressure.
And McCulloch should have added his name to the scoresheet when he beat Wiese and bore down on goal only to be denied by a superb last-gasp tackle from Naldo when six yards out.
| Rangers |
Team Statistics |
Werder Bremen |
| 2 |
Goals |
0 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 5 |
Shots on Target |
3 |
| 5 |
Shots off Target |
3 |
| 3 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 4 |
Corners |
4 |
| 21 |
Fouls |
12 |
| 2 |
Offsides |
3 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 69 |
Passing Success |
78.3 |
| 21 |
Tackles |
21 |
| 95.2 |
Tackles Success |
81 |
| 42.9 |
Possession |
57.1 |
| 50.9 |
Territorial Advantage |
49.1 |
|
