Rangers on a knife-edge after UEFA Cup semi-final stalemate at Ibrox

Walter Smith's side held the Italians at Ibrox by soaking up pressure for most of the game.

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Fiorentina finished with some world-class attacking talent on show but could not find a way past patched-up Rangers.

Former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu was partnering Christian Vieri at the final whistle after the former Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan star came off the bench.

But Rangers have now only conceded once in their last four UEFA Cup ties and Smith has fashioned a style which seems to suit European football.

Mutu caused them problems in the second half and the Scots rarely broke out of their half, yet even with no advantage for the second leg, they will be happy.

Rangers' resilience means they can still dream of adding to the European Cup Winners' Cup they won in their last moment of glory on the Continent in 1972.

This was only the second time they had met Fiorentina, the first in the inaugural final of the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1961 when the Italians came out on top — and they provided another stiff test.

Fiorentina controlled the first half but there were few opportunities and both sides looked as if they had been put off by the enormity of the occasion.

Rangers stand-in goalkeeper Neil Alexander was not seriously troubled as Fiorentina were restricted to shooting from distance and a powerful run from the halfway line by Jean-Claude Darcheville, which came to nothing, was the home side's best attack.

It took Rangers 15 minutes to make an appearance in the Fiorentina penalty area but when the supply to Darcheville improved, so did they. Fiorentina clearly recognised him as the main goal threat and he was on the end of some tough challenges.

Another injury was the last thing Smith needed. Skipper Barry Ferguson and midfielder Kevin Thomson were suspended while goalkeeper Allan McGregor, Charlie Adam, Lee McCulloch, Steven Naismith, Chris Burke and DaMarcus Beasley were all out injured.

Tiredness may also have been to blame for the cagey start as last night's game was Rangers' 58th of the season and their run in the UEFA Cup has caused havoc with League fixtures.

The League had already annouced it will extend the season by four days — until 22 May — if Rangers overcome Fiorentina next week.

Celtic are next up for Smith's players on Sunday before they go to Florence for the return on Thursday.

In the other semi-final, Bayern Munich were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw at home by Zenit St Petersburg.

Chelsea transfer target Franck Ribery put the home side ahead in the 18th minute when he scored from the rebound after Vyacheslav Malafeev had saved his penalty.

Zenit drew level in the 62nd minute through an own goal by defender Lucio.