Slavia Prague ace Lukas Provod was left ruing an ‘incredible’ Allan McGregor save after Rangers snatched a 1-1 draw in the Europa League round of 16 first leg clash, as he told the club’s official website.
During a hard-fought battle between the Czech league leaders and the newly-crowned Scottish champions, a 39-year-old shot-stopper spent most of the evening twiddling his thumbs.
Despite their first-half dominance, Slavia only managed two shots on target until the final few moments of an intriguing, cagey encounter.
But, with just minutes remaining at the Sinobo Stadium, McGregor suddenly took centre-stage, making one of the finest reflex saves you will see anywhere in Europe this season.
Lukas Masopust was almost wheeling away in celebration after thumping a bullet header into the bottom corner. But McGregor somehow managed to not only claw the ball off his goal-line but also keep it within his grasp – stunning reflexes from a man who will turn 40 within the next 12 months.
“It was a great pity,” said Provost, who scored a crucial goal in the round-of-32 victory at Leicester City a fortnight ago.
“Masopust jumped perfectly and finished as best he could. He hit it well, it went towards the goal and I have to praise the Rangers goalkeeper, because what he showed was incredible.
“He was really down very fast.”
With Rangers far from their fluid best in attack, Steven Gerrard would have been mightily relieved to see his usually-reliable defenders bounce back from Nicolae Stanciu’s stunning early opener.
Connor Goldson, Jamie Patterson and particularly Filip Helander – who scored a scrappy opener at the other end – were disciplined and dogged throughout as Rangers avoided a first-leg defeat.
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