Malmo celebrate

By FOS Edtor
July 26 2011

Ally McCoist’s poor start to his tenure as Rangers manager continued with a 0-1 defeat to Malmo at Ibrox tonight.

Despite being strong favourites going into this tie Rangers have left themselves a mountain to climb if they have any hope of making the Group Stages, with this 0-1 defeat to Malmo of Sweden.

Malmo took the lead on 18 minutes when a cute flick from Wilton Figueiredo set up Daniel Larsson, who smashed in.

Rangers improved and should have overturned the lead but Steven Naismith shot wide twice in close succession.

But Malmo's attack kept Allan McGregor busy and following Steve Davis's shot over the hosts could not equalise.

Figueiredo was a constant threat for the Swedish champions and he twice had shots well saved, one a free-kick and another a curling effort after a fine counter attack.

But the way in which Ally McCoist's side failed to make a breakthrough leaves them a huge task in the return leg on 3 August.

They will have to improve on a sluggish start and it was from Steven Whittaker's mistake that Larsson struck what proved to be the winner.

It also looks as though McCoist may well have a short honeymoon period with the fans in a far from full Ibrox booing his side off the pitch.

McCoist may have to up the ante in his bid to bring people in rather than the current bargain basement approach to the transfer market.