Rangers seal late victory

Amoruso and Ferguson congratulate Konterman

Anzhi 0-1 Rangers

Bert Konterman was the unlikely goal hero for Rangers as they overcame a tricky tussle with Russian side Anzhi.

The Scots were struggling against the outfit lying in mid-table in their domestic league until Dutch defender Konterman's 22-yard drive was deflected into the net with six minutes remaining.

This controversial tie had been moved to neutral Warsaw from Dagestan due to increased fighting in neighbouring Chechnya in the wake of the terrorist atrocities in the USA.

It meant a tiny crowd and little atmosphere, despite the presence of several hundred Rangers fans.

Rangers had been able to name the same side that thrashed Dundee United at the weekend when they faced Anzhi of Makhachkala in their long-awaited Uefa Cup tie.

Created problems

Added firepower was now on the bench in the shape of Claudio Caniggia and Billy Dodds, but those on the park were a shadow of the side that won 6-1 on Sunday.

Anzhi were playing with only Edu up front.

Tore Andre Flo was taken off

But the Brazilian created problems when a ball over the top of the Rangers defence forced Arthur Numan to pull him down and the Rangers defender was lucky not to be shown a red card.

Goalkeeper Alexandr Schidkov saved his side with a stunning 24th minute stop from Russell Latapy, who had hit a Ronald de Boer cross first time.

The Russians won their first corner when a Murad Ramazanov shot was deflected wide and Magomed Adiev was able to get a header in at the back post that bounced over.

At the other end, Neil McCann went flying under Michael Bilong's challenge as the Cameroon defender slid in on the edge of the area, but somehow the Rangers man did not even win a foul.

McCann soon threatened again, taking de Boer's free-kick in his stride and firing a powerful effort that was blocked by Schidkov.

Bilong conceded a corner in stoppage time that was headed towards his own goal by a defender, who was relieved to see a team-mate head it off the line.

Rusian Agalarov fired in the free-kick after the break that Stefan Klos did well to save.

Made the breakthrough

Rangers made a change in the 58th minute, bringing on Caniggia in place of the lacklustre Flo.

Another substitution followed five minutes later with McCann taken off and Peter Lovenkrands sent on in his place.

Amoruso sent in a long-range drive from a free-kick move, but Schidkov parried and Arsen Akaev cleared up the loose ball.

Rangers finally made the breakthrough with six minutes remaining.

A free-kick was rolled into the path of Konterman, whose drive deflected by a defender past his own goalkeeper.

---

Anzhi: Schidkov, Yaskovich, Grodeev, Agalarov, Sirkhaev, Adiev, Ramazanov, Akaev, Bilong, Edu, Tsymbalar. Subs: Holly, Ngangue, Nikolich, Ivanov, Hoshic, Alexeev, Armishev.

Rangers: Klos, Ricksen, Moore, Amoruso, Numan, Konterman, Ferguson, Latapy, McCann, de Boer, Flo. Subs: Caniggia, Dodds, Kanchelskis, Christiansen, Vidmar, Lovenkrands, Hughes.

Referee: Edgar Steinborn (Sinzig).