HERO ALLAN IS OUT OF THIS WORLD

Slavia Prague 1 Rangers 1

Europe League: Round of 16, first leg STEVEN GERRARD saluted goalkeeper Allan McGregor for a “world-class” save as newly-crowned Scottish champions Rangers claimed a battling draw.

Gerrard’s men spent Sunday partying after sealing their first title in a decade.

But their wild weekend appeared to catch up with them in the Czech capital as they backed off to allow Nicolae Stanciu to fire Slavia into a seventh-minute lead.

Filip Helander’s leveller (above) was the perfect hangover cure and McGregor’s amazing late stop boosted their chances of progressing to the Europa League last eight after next week’s return Ibrox return.

McGregor, 39, showed wrist strength and agility to somehow claw the ball out after a towering header from Lukas Masopust.

Gerrard (right) said: “Allan, again, we needed to call on at a really important time to make a world-class save. The tie is finely balanced now.

“What you’ve got to take into consideration is everyone connected with the club has had a real emotional week.

“So with what they gave the game in terms of effort and application, I’m so proud of the players.

“We felt they’ve got some weaknesses and spotted some vulnerabilities And we want to be a little bit more positive next week to exploit them.”

On his late wonder save, hero McGregor said: “It’s just one of those things, you react to it and hope it doesn’t go in. Happy days.

“Time will tell if we’re happy with the result. We have the belief but we’re up against a good side so it will be difficult. But we go into every game at this club wanting to win it.”

Slavia Prague – Leicester’s conquerors in the last round – led via Stanciu. But Rangers finally found their feet as Helander tapped home after a good work from Ianis Hagi to claim a vital away goal before the break.

Ryan Kent and Connor Goldson blew chances to win it before McGregor’s heroics.

And Gerrard’s side will back themselves to finish the job in Glasgow given their impressive home record.