A round-up of today's other soccer stories in brief.
Republic drop in rankings
ARGENTINA REMAIN top of the FIFA world rankings published yesterday but with just 10 points separating them from South American rivals Brazil.
The Republic of Ireland have dropped five places to 42nd with World Cup qualifying group opponents Montenegro up 22 places to 153rd after victory over Norway. Northern Ireland remain unchanged in 34th place.
FIFA RANKINGS (previous positions in brackets):1. (1) Argentina; 2. (2) Brazil; 3. (3) Italy; 4. (4) Spain; 5. (5) Germany; 6. (6) Czech Republic; 7. (7) France; 8. (10) Greece; 9. (8) Portugal; 10. (9) Netherlands; 11. (11) England; 12. (13) Romania; 13. (12) Croatia; 14. (15) Ghana; 15. (14) Scotland; 16. (16) Mexico; 17. (17) Cameroon; 18. (19) Bulgaria; 19. (20) Colombia; 20. (22) Israel.
Score draw would be enough for Rangers
WALTER SMITH has challenged his players to match the expectations of their travelling army of fans as Rangers bid to reach the UEFA Cup semi-finals for the first time.
The Rangers manager knows hopes are beginning to soar of his team going all the way to next month's final in Manchester.
That has become the case, despite the UEFA Cup initially being seen as a disappointing consolation prize following the highs of the Champions League.
Panathinaikos and Werder Bremen have already been swept aside against the odds and 90 minutes of football is all that now stands between Rangers and a last-four meeting with Fiorentina or PSV Eindhoven.
Rangers and Sporting Lisbon battled out a goalless draw at Ibrox last week and Smith is keen to see how his team reacts to tonight's pressure clash in the Jose Alvalade Stadium.
Birmingham duo arrested
BIRMINGHAM MANAGING director Karren Brady and co-owner David Sullivan were arrested by police investigating alleged corruption in English football, sources said last night.
The arrests follow last month's raids on Premier League club Birmingham as part of an ongoing inquiry by the City of London Police's economic crime unit.
Detectives confirmed yesterday they questioned a 59-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and false accounting. They were released on bail, police later confirmed.
A further seven people remain on bail in connection with the inquiry.
