2-1 at Half time at Ibrox

[LongHairedBeardedKiltie]

Have the teddies blown it?

[Gypsum_Fantastic]

No, it finished 2-2.

[keltic_bhoy]

From what I heard it was 2-2 going on 2-4. Rangers did well to get a draw from the game last night (no thanks to Diddy Prso) but I can't see this team getting the win they now need in Villarreal to progress.

[Gypsum_Fantastic]

Stranger things have happened.

Villarreal were technically superior and kept the ball better than Rangers but, equally, they were gifted both their goals by bad defending and poor refereeing. If Rangers could cut out the slack defending in Spain then they have a chance. They certainly created some opportunities of their own and scored twice against a side that had only conceded 1 goal in the group stages. There was also a good penalty shout for Rangers near the end.

It's not the ideal result but a draw at home in the first leg is not the worst result imaginable. Villarreal will be favourites but it's going to be awkward for them now as to how to approach the second leg.

[keltic_bhoy]

I remember Celtic being in a similar situation 2 years ago when going into the 2nd leg in Villarreal with a 1-1 draw at Parkhead. I believed that we had a chance but on the night we were played off the park and hadn't a sniff at goal. I would say that Celtic team, with Larsson et al. was far better than the current Rangers team and this Villarreal team is better than the one of 2 years ago. In so facto, I can't see Rangers making any impact in Spain.

[Gypsum_Fantastic]

Football is rarely that simple. I saw West Ham win at Highbury a few weeks ago and then watched Arsenal win in Madrid in midweek. 'Tis truly a funny old game.

Clearly, Rangers have to keep it tight early on - as I recall, Celtic were two down in the first 20 minutes in Villarreal. Their defending, particularly at set pieces, has to improve dramatically. I believe the suspension of Prso is a blessing in disguise. He's a good player but I think Rangers would be better served going with the pace and skill of Buffel and Lovenkrands in Spain - a partnership that went some way towards dragging Rangers out of their mid-season rut. With those players up front, there's always a possibility of snatching a goal. Certainly, if Rangers can score first then it's game on.

Interesting, too, that only 2 of the 8 home teams won in this Champions League midweek.

[keltic_bhoy]

Is it just me, or does anyone else ever feel like giving Lovenkrands a wee slap every time he does that silly fist punching celebration after he scores?