ROD WALLACE'S fitness could hold the key to Rangers' chance of progressing in the Champions' League. The former Leeds United striker has been outstanding since switching from Elland Road to Ibrox in the summer of 1998, but a nagging hamstring injury has frustrated both the player and his manager, Dick Advocaat.
How Rangers needed a fully fit Wallace on Tuesday as they fought out a desperately disappointing 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich in a gripping game. Michael Tarnat grabbed a last-gasp equaliser for the Bundesliga team after Jorg Albertz had sent the home side into raptures. Advocaat was critical of their inability to finish off last season's beaten finalists, who were outplayed for long spells.
Wallace was named on the substitutes' bench as he had not fully recovered from his injury problem. It would be a bonus for Rangers if he was ready for the match against St Johnstone at the weekend before the crucial fixture at PSV Eindhoven next Tuesday.
Michael Mols, who cost pounds 4m from Utrecht, was a picture of industry on Tuesday but only confirmed what he had been insisting: that he is not a natural goalscorer. He repeatedly manoeuvred himself into good positions, but his finishing was weak.
Bayern's unlikely hero was their fourth-choice goalkeeper, Stefan Wessels, who made a string of outstanding saves.
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