Darcheville puts Rangers in UEFA Cup semi-finals

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Darcheville finished off a sweeping counter attack on the hour mark and a wonder goal from Whittaker sealed a fantastic victory to give Rangers a great chance of winning their first European trophy since 1972.

Rangers manager Smith made four changes from Sunday's 3-3 draw against Dundee United.

Darcheville was drafted into the team in the lone striker role, along with Kirk Broadfoot, Brahim Hemdani and Steven Davis, but David Weir was missing.

And it was the visitors who had the first chance of a cagey first half when Gladstone and Tonel failed to deal with a Hemdani ball into the box, which broke for Darcheville.

The striker tried to dink over goalkeeper Rui Patricio, as he raced off his line, but Gladstone managed to block the effort.

Barry Ferguson then tried to set up Darcheville but, this time, Patricio was first to the ball.

Sporting's chances had been limited early on, but they hit the woodwork Liedson's header smacked off the post.

Sporting began to assert themselves as the half wore on.

First, Miguel Veloso drilled narrowly past Allan McGregor's right-hand post and then, with half-time approaching, skipper Joao Moutinho saw his shot fizz across the goalmouth.

Sporting came out after the break determined to find a way through a dogged Rangers defence, Marat Izmailov heading past the post.

But to the surprise and dismay of the home side, Darcheville pounced to put Rangers in the draw for the last four alongside Zenit St Petersburg, Fiorentina and Getafe or Bayern Munich.

Darcheville, a handful all evening, played the ball out to Davis on the right before slotting the return pass home from eight yards out to send the Gers fans behind the goal into raptures.

Sporting threw men forward in search of the two goals they needed, but Whittaker rounded off a fine display, beating four men on a mazy run before slotting coolly into the left-hand corner.