BATTLING RANGERS FIGHT ON; Rangers 0 Fiorentina 0.

Byline: By IAIN CAMPBELL 

WALTER SMITH'S depleted Rangers side fought out a tense goalless draw in last night's UEFA Cup semi-final first-leg.

But the Ibrox side go to Florence next week in the knowledge that their best displays in the competition have come on their travels.

Manager Walter Smith said: "We go out to Italy with confidence, knowing we can get goals away from home."

The Italians opened brightly, but Adrian Mutu's 12th-minute shot scarcely troubled Neil Alexander.

There was a scare seconds later as Carlos Cuellar cleared from Giampaolo Pazzini in front of goal.

Fiorentina's domination was not impressing the natives but relief came from Jean-Claude Darcheville spinning Alessandro Gamberini and sprinting towards goal before he was crowded out.

The Frenchman caused more problems, threatening a copycat break from his own half, only to be hauled down by Mario Santana, who was booked.

Alexander was forced to dive at Santana's feet five minutes before half-time as the Italians threatened again.

Fiorentina dominated the early minutes of the second half, but as Rangers hit back, Kirk Broadfoot's chip for Nacho Novo was just a yard too long.

The little striker again threatened when he sprinted on to a quickly taken Broadfoot free-kick to shoot narrowly wide.

Alexander went full length to keep out a Mutu free-kick 15 minutes from time.

CAPTION(S):

DARCHEVILLE Constant threat