Rangers secure spot in final four

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Substitute Steven Whittaker then helped himself to a goal of his own deep into injury time to provide the perfect end to a sensational night in Portugal.

The 2-0 aggregate win means Rangers will appear in the last four of the competition for the first time when they face Fiorentina, who defeated PSV Eindhoven.

Walter Smith's men have now played a staggering 16 games in Europe this season, as they remain in the hunt for four trophies, in what has been the veteran boss' best continental run since narrowly missing out on the Champions League final back in season 1992/93.

Rangers had the first chance of the match when Pereira Gladstone and Antonio Leonel Tonel failed to deal with a Brahim 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.

Sporting's chances had been limited early on but they hit the woodwork when Leandro Romagnoli's free-kick found Da Silva Liedson and his header smacked off a post.

Rangers grabbed the crucial opener with an hour gone. Darcheville played the ball out to Steve Davis out on the right before racing into the box and collecting the return pass. He then left Patricio with no chance by slotting home from eight yards to send the Gers fans behind the goal into raptures.

Liedson could have restored parity for Sporting but hooked his shot high and wide, before Leandro Grimi nodded past the upright.

But nothing would be allowed to dampen the spirits of the Ibrox club as substitute Whittaker - on for Lee McCulloch - provided the icing on the cake by rifling home deep into injury time following a solo run from his own half.