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Rangers have “nothing to fear” as they target the last 32 of the Europa League, says defender Connor Goldson.

The Ibrox club sit joint top of their group at the halfway stage after Thursday’s 0-0 draw with Spartak Moscow.

Goldson admits Rangers have surpassed expectations but insists progression is well within their grasp.

“It’s a great start. We know we’re in a tough group with three really good teams,” he told RangersTV.

“We’re unbeaten with five points and it’s just going to be another tough three games to go, but with the way we’ve started there’s nothing to fear.”

Report: Rangers frustrated by Spartak[1]

‘Euro record is a bonus’ – Gerrard[2]

Under Steven Gerrard Rangers have gone unbeaten for a club record 11 games in Europe, recording five wins along the way.

After a dominant display in front of a packed Ibrox against Spartak, Goldson conceded their latest result should have taken that tally to seven as the Russians held on.

“If you said this [that Rangers would be joint top] in June we would have snapped anyone’s hands off,” he said.

“They came here and gave us a lot of respect, which shows how well we’ve done so far, but we were disappointed not to take the three points.

“I think the game was there for the taking. On the whole we played well, and kept a clean sheet against a good side.”

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References

^ Report: Rangers frustrated by Spartak (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ ‘Euro record is a bonus’ – Gerrard (www.bbc.co.uk)

BBC Sport – Scottish

Celtic have “nothing to fear” against AEK Athens and still have a “great chance” of progressing in the Champions League, says manager Brendan Rodgers.

The Scottish champions must score in Greece on Tuesday to have a chance of progressing after Viktor Klonaridis equalised Callum McGregor’s opener.

AEK played the final 33 minutes with 10 men after Konstantinis Galanopoulos was dismissed for two bookable offences.

But Rodgers told Radio Scotland his side were “outstanding” and “dominant”.

When asked about Celtic’s chances of advancing to a play-off round tie with Swedish champions Malmo or Hungarians MOL Vidi, the manager said: “After that performance, I think we feel a lot more confident we can do that.

Celtic need goal in Greece after being held by AEK[1]

Relieve the draw as it happened[2]

Podcast: ‘Celtic can score, but need to be wary’[3]

Hibs’ McGinn opts to join Villa[4]

“It was always going to be difficult, whatever the result tonight. But I said to the players, we have nothing to fear.

“We put in a big performance and didn’t quite get the result tonight, but it allows us an opportunity to go out there and get a result.”

McGregor’s goal after 17 minutes came while Celtic had a firm grip on the contest, but failings in the home defence allowed Klonaridis to level just before the break.

Celtic had most of the play after the interval, but struggled to cleave open a resolute AEK defence.

“I thought we really dominated that first period,” said Rodgers. “The players were outstanding. The only frustration was we didn’t finish off some really good play.

“If we had come in having not made the mistake for the goal and won 1-0, I would have been ecstatic with the performance at this stage of the season.”

Rodgers not focusing on transfers

Celtic must travel to face the Greek champions next week without Norwegian centre-back Kristoffer Ajer, who will be suspended.

That means Belgian Dedryck Boyata – who was subject of a rejected £8m bid[5] from Fulham this week, and is yet to feature since returning from the World Cup – and Jozo Simunovic may be pressed into action.

“I don’t think we want to lose any of our centre-halves,” Rodgers said. “We will have to look at Dedryck to see where he is at, and Jozo is available as well. It is unfortunate because Kris has been great for us.”

Rodgers, too, refused to be drawn on his reaction to the news that long-time target John McGinn has signed for Aston Villa.

Celtic had several bids rejected for the Scotland midfielder, who Rodgers earlier this week conceded he “clearly wanted to bring” to the club.

“My thinking now is for the players who are at the club, how to help us get better and see if we can get into the final qualifying round,” he said.

“Obviously we have a game at the weekend too and that is my only concentration really.”

‘It will be a test of nerve’ – reaction

Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner on Sportsound

The second leg really will be a test of nerve and mentality for Celtic. The players will have to stand up to it.

They still have a chance, because AEK Athens will probably play a similar way at home, on the counter-attack. Celtic have enough ability to score an away goal, but they’ll have to be very, very careful.

Former Celtic striker Scott McDonald on Sportsound

Playing against 10 men made it harder for Celtic. AEK’s job was just to spoil, and not even try to counter.

There are big question marks on who Rodgers plays next week. He has to bring Boyata in – this is last chance saloon now.

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References

^ Celtic need goal in Greece after being held by AEK (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Relieve the draw as it happened (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Podcast: ‘Celtic can score, but need to be wary’ (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Hibs’ McGinn opts to join Villa (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ rejected £8m bid (www.bbc.co.uk)

BBC Sport – Scottish

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said being knocked out of the Champions League at home in the last 16 was “nothing new for the club”.

Sevilla substitute Wissam Ben Yedder netted twice for the Spanish side in their 2-1 victory at Old Trafford.

“I don’t think the performance was bad,” said boss Mourinho, who lost at the last-16 stage for the fourth time.

He added: “I don’t have regrets. I did my best, the players did their best. We tried, we lost and that is football.”

Report: Man Utd 1-2 Sevilla[1]

United were second best in the two matches against the Spanish side and Mourinho was made to pay for his cautious approach as they failed to join rivals Manchester City and Liverpool in the last eight.

The Red Devils have now won just one out of their last nine knockout games in the competitions and have been knocked out at this stage in two of their last three campaigns.

A bright opening five minutes saw Romelu Lukaku, who grabbed a late consolation goal, strike wide and have an effort blocked from close range, but La Liga outfit Sevilla controlled the contest thereafter.

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Mourinho said: “I sat in this chair twice in the Champions League after knocking out Manchester United [in the last 16] at home, at Old Trafford. In this chair with Porto (in 2004) and Real Madrid (in 2013), they are out both times. It is not something new for the club.

“I don’t think the performance was bad, I think the intention and the way we started was really good and positive. Sevilla has a good team and they can hide the ball and have players in midfield who are good at doing that. They did that for the majority of the time.

“I think the first goal was always going to be important, not just because of the first leg result but also the profile of the match.

“Sometimes I am lucky with changes, others time other managers are. It was good, a happy move by Vincenzo to bring Ben Yedder on. When they scored the first goal, the game is completely different.”

With the Premier League all-but lost to City, United must focus their attentions on the FA Cup as their only hope of claiming silverware this season, coming up against Brighton in the sixth round on Saturday.

The back pages…

What you said on #bbcfootball:

Joshua: An absolute disgrace! The players and the manager need to have a long look at themselves in the mirror tonight. Boring football, unimaginative, timid, a disgrace. I’m disgusted at that performance.

Steve J: At the game – never heard such a flat stadium. Not the fans’ fault, it’s impossible to get behind a team playing that like. Outraged but sadly not surprised.

Taylor: Jose has lost the dressing room. No player who was committed to their manager would turn up and play like that.

Joe Wedgewood: Did that Jose interview seriously just happen? What game was he watching? Protecting the players or not, he’s talking utter nonsense.

References

^ Report: Man Utd 1-2 Sevilla (www.bbc.co.uk)

BBC Sport – Football