Match ends, Rangers 0, Spartak Moscow 0.
Rangers' hopes of Europa League progression remain on track despite a frustrating night at Ibrox against Spartak Moscow.
Steven Gerrard's side struggled to convert their dominance as they bossed the play against the Russians.
Despite creating several chances, Rangers failed to score for the first time in 11 games at home this season.
The Premiership club sit joint-top of the group with Villarreal - who beat Rapid Vienna 5-0 - on five points.
Alfredo Morelos, Daniel Candeias and Eros Grezda spurned opportunities for the hosts during a dominant display.
However, Rangers extended their unbeaten run in Europe to 11 matches before facing Spartak in Russia on 8 November.
- Progress more important than record - Gerrard
- Reaction & how it happened
- Quiz: Can you name Rangers' scorers against Russian sides?
Point gained, not two lost?
Come the conclusion of this Europa League group, Rangers may well look back at this game as a point won on the way to the play-off round.
However, the initial feeling will be one of what could have been on another swashbuckling European night in Govan.
Dominant performances at Ibrox have been the catalyst for Rangers' European run, and with tales of Spartak being in disarray, big things were expected of Gerrard's men, who prior to kick off sat clear at the top of Group G.
The Scottish Premiership side flew out of the traps in the first half as the Russians were forced on to the back foot. The best of the chances fell to Candeias, but he opted to cross from eight yards out rather than shoot after bursting into the box.
In the second half, Rangers still had opportunities despite the visitors beginning the brighter of the two teams. Morelos whistled a fine ball across the box with no takers, which was a real sign of their intent and also that their luck may not be in.
From the bench Eros Grezda could, and really should, have been the hero. First, the Albanian fell under clumsy challenge only for Dutch referee Kevin Blom to wave away penalty appeals, then he blazed a glorious chance over the bar from the edge of the area with the last kick of the ball.
However, the fact Rangers fans will have left Ibrox frustrated is an indication of how far this team has come under former Liverpool captain Gerrard.
A hapless team that was beaten last summer by Progres Niederkorn under Pedro Caixinha has been transformed by Gerrard into one that has stepped into the Europa League without fear.
He will be confident they can go to Russia in two weeks' time and take another stride forward.
'Rangers have nothing to fear' - analysis
Former Rangers striker Steven Thompson on BBC Radio Scotland
For Rangers supporters, it's probably been unthinkable, to be on this type of run in Europe. That's six clean seats, which is sensational. They have a really good balance. They know how to close out games and be stoic, but they know how to go all out attack as well.
It now becomes tougher, with two tricky away games and although Villarreal are the best team in the group, Rangers have nothing to fear at Ibrox based on their European performances so far. They will be very pleased with how the group has started but three points tonight would have made a massive difference.
Match stats
- Rangers are unbeaten in all 11 European games under Steven Gerrard, winning five and drawing six;
- Spartak have won just one of their last 15 away games (D6 L8) in Europe;
- The Russian side didn't have a shot on target until the 70th minute, through Sofiane Hanni.
Line-ups
Rangers
Formation 4-3-3
- 1McGregor
- 2Tavernier
- 34Worrall
- 6Goldson
- 15Flanagan
- 10Ejaria
- 8JackSubstituted forGrezdaat 68'minutes
- 23Coulibaly
- 21CandeiasBooked at 59minsSubstituted forMiddletonat 86'minutes
- 20MorelosBooked at 45mins
- 26Kent
Substitutes
- 13Foderingham
- 16Halliday
- 17McCrorie
- 19Katic
- 35Grezda
- 38Lafferty
- 40Middleton
Spartak Moscow
Formation 4-3-3
- 98Maksimenko
- 92Rasskazov
- 16Bocchetti
- 14DzhikiyaBooked at 33mins
- 25Melgarejo
- 22IgnatovSubstituted forPopovat 84'minutes
- 11Lucas MartinsBooked at 45mins
- 47Zobnin
- 27LomovitskiySubstituted forEremenkoat 45'minutes
- 9Mendes Andrade
- 88TashaevSubstituted forHanniat 45'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Petkovic
- 26Eremenko
- 29Kutepov
- 32Rebrov
- 40Timofeev
- 71Popov
- 94Hanni
- Referee:
- Kevin Blom
- Attendance:
- 49,068
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home58%
- Away42%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away4
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away1
- Corners
- Home10
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home19
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Rangers 0, Spartak Moscow 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. Eros Grezda (Rangers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Ryan Kent.
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Ryan Kent (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Lorenzo Melgarejo (Spartak Moscow).
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Foul by Joe Worrall (Rangers).
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Zé Luís (Spartak Moscow) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Hand ball by Ryan Kent (Rangers).
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution
Substitution, Rangers. Glenn Middleton replaces Daniel Candeias.
Post update
Delay in match Aleksandr Maksimenko (Spartak Moscow) because of an injury.
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Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Salvatore Bocchetti.
Substitution
Substitution, Spartak Moscow. Ivelin Popov replaces Mikhail Ignatov because of an injury.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Ovie Ejaria (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Connor Goldson (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Zé Luís (Spartak Moscow).
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Foul by Joe Worrall (Rangers).
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Zé Luís (Spartak Moscow) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match Mikhail Ignatov (Spartak Moscow) because of an injury.
Comments
Join the conversation
Progressing in Europe in my opinion is Scottish teams' best hopes of making money, given the state of the SFA right now.
Watched part of 2nd half tonight & was willing that last-gasp chance to burst the net (1-0) as soon as he'd hit it.
Gerrard doing a v.good job at Ibrox, be great if he gets the Blues back on top in Glasgow.
Good luck lads....a ManC Blue, Good Times Bad.
Suggest you all (plebs) get back to talking "Football" - Beautiful Game you know !
Topping Group (of 4) three games gone, well done Rangers, can see you getting out of Group & progressing no problem at all.
Gerrard doing a cracking job, a club of stability & upwardly mobile at last, going forwards >.
WATP
Will be a real achievement if they can qualify for the next stage.
Good luck to them.