Rangers Do Their Level Best

Rangers fought back to force a 2-2 draw with Villarreal in their captivating Champions League last-16 tie at Ibrox.

The Spaniards had conceded just one goal in their six group games but Alex McLeish's men twice breached their defence.

Juan Roman Riquelme scored from the penalty spot early on after Dado Prso handled in the box but a fabulous Peter Lovenkrands strike made it 1-1.Diego Forlan restored Villarreal's lead before half-time amid claims for offside but Rangers hit back again eight minutes from time when Juan Manuel Pena diverted a Thomas Buffel cross into his own net.

McLeish heaped praise on his side for refusing to buckle when the chips were down.



He said: "We've shown great spirit despite the troubles we've had domestically this season. That's nine games we've played in the Champions League and we're still alive.

"If we can do it and go through to the quarter-finals, I would run out of superlatives."

"The efforts were fantastic. We can play better, but the spirit, determination, the passion were all there. We played a very good side and Riquelme is different class."