AZ Alkmaar 2 - 2 Zenit St Petersburg - Encouraging signs as Zenit defence falters

ALLY McCOIST was probably already on his way to Glasgow airport by the time Craig Levein was conducting post-match press conferences talking about level playing fields or the perceived lack of one at Ibrox yesterday afternoon but, arriving in Holland in time to take in this match, the Rangers assistant manager could make the same claim.

With the UEFA Cup final looming large the Govan club would have loved the luxury of the carefree build-up enjoyed by Zenit St Petersburg against AZ Alkmaar at the DSB Stadion. While Rangers were put through the wringer for the umpteenth time in quick succession, this time by a Dundee United team denied by refereeing decisions and on a heavy pitch, the Russians were able to stretch their legs in the evening sunshine.

Unlike Walter Smith's men, the Russian champions were able to get their competitive fixtures in their homeland postponed as the national association attempted to aid their chances of victory in their first European final.

But on this evidence, it could be argued that Rangers' inability to get the postponements they sought may help them. They have never escaped full match mode, whereas Zenit looked like a team trying to switch back to a competitive setting. Which maybe explains why six changes were made at half-time, ensuring as many players as possible got to shake some life back into their rested limbs. The question is whether enough of them can rediscover all the hunger and sharpness by Wednesday.

One man who didn't feature until the second half and who may now be consigned to a place on the bench midweek, was Fernando Ricksen. He has made just three European starts this season and with first-choice Alexander Anyukov seemingly shrugging off a persistent ankle injury to prove himself available for selection, it is unlikely the former Rangers hero will manage a fourth.

This was a match organised by Zenit head coach Dick Advocaat, utilising contacts at his former club. Win or lose, the point was to blow away the cobwebs in a meaningless match rather than wait for the opening period on Wednesday to try stretching those legs. It also gave the Little General the opportunity to test out different line-ups he feels could threaten the Rangers defence. With the tournament's highest scorer, Pavel Pogrebnyak, suspended for the Manchester final and only entering the fray midway through the second half in time to score the equaliser from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute, the thinking was how they could compensate for a man who had contributed 11 goals throughout the campaign.

While they looked slightly pedestrian in the opening minutes, a clever shot from Igor Denisov in the 18th minute showed how big a threat they could pose when it comes to trying to create something out of nothing. Then six minutes later they again came at Alkmaar, the five-man midfield and sole striker Fatih Tekke beginning to find some rhythm and fluency to their play. This time it was Denisov who had the initial shot and Alejandro Dominguez who followed up but his half volley careered back off the bar.

But it was the defence who will probably give Advocaat most to ponder in the wake of an unconvincing performance. In goal, Vyacheslav Malafeev flapped at an early ball into the box, while the backline was in disarray as the Dutch hosts opened the scoring in the 27th minute. One pass played through the centre half pairing of Roman Shirokov and Ivica Krizanac left them completely exposed and presented Garziano Pelle the opportunity to score. Watching from the stand, McCoist and coach Ian Durrant will hope that bodes well. For while Rangers' preferred tactic has always been to sit in and stifle the opposition, there was enough evidence here that their counter-attacks could bear some fruit if they get the bodies up in support quickly enough to press the back four.

If the defensive qualities looked iffy at that first goal, they were none too clever as Alkmaar added another. This time it was from a set piece, which will buoy Rangers, who know they pose a threat in that department, especially if Steve Davis can shake off a niggling injury to provide his killer deliveries. On this occasion, though, it was Simon Poulsen's corner in the 32nd minute which beat the Russians, allowing Hector Moreno the space to head home.

While offering some hope, it would be foolish to read too much into such a meaningless game. As Roman Shirokov pulled one back just seconds before half-time, the paucity of celebration told its own story. It was as though he had just netted in training and, in their minds, that's exactly what he had done.

SET-PIECES COULD HOLD KEY TO VICTORY IN CUP FINAL

ALTHOUGH Zenit's game in Alkmaar was only a friendly, Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist still learned a lot from the exercise.

"They have a lot more about them in the tank. It was great to watch them though, in terms of set-pieces, their general shape," said McCoist. "(Fatih] Tekke and (Igor] Denisov stood out on the night. They are all very, very comfortable with the ball, are a good footballing side with a lot of pace but they don't have any outstanding individuals, I wouldn't have thought. Tekke is technically very good and likes it into feet. Their main strength, for me, is their pace. They are very tricky, their one-touch play is very good."

It is a style of play AZ Alkmaar head coach Luis van Gaal would like to see triumph in Manchester on Wednesday. "It just seems that it is always the defensive teams that are winning at the moment but I like the Zenit approach.I watched Rangers v Fiorentina and the most defensive team came out on top. I think it's better for football when the attacking team goes through. That's what I prefer to watch." But he said that Zenit coach Dick Advocaat had asked him to adopt a more defensive style against them and the experience only heightened his belief that Rangers will find it difficult in the final.

"Dick has analysed Rangers and so have I. He asked me to play like them tonight and I was happy to do that. It proved to be difficult for us and although we managed to score two goals, Zenit were only playing at 70%. When they played at 100% in the second half, it was very hard for us to untangle their system, they have such fluent movement throughout the team."

McCoist added: "It's very difficult to gauge how much (Zenit] were putting into it. They obviously used it more as a fitness exercise more than anything. They will be 10 times more competitive on Wednesday than they were out there – guaranteed. But there were a lot of things we will take on board. I think we could certainly pose them problems at the other end of the park.

"I think we have boys who could damage them. Set-pieces against anyone, we are capable of scoring and the set piece I watched them concede from was encouraging, if you like. But there were also set pieces against AZ that were very interesting and we'll need to be wary of that. There are things to be wary of but nothing to be frightened of. And I quite enjoy the fact we're second favourites."