GLASGOW (Reuters) - Rangers fought out a 0-0 draw with Fiorentina in a tense UEFA Cup semi-final first leg at Ibrox on Thursday.

There were few clear scoring chances created in a cagey affair, although Rangers, fielding a depleted side through injury and suspension, could feel the happier.

Romanian striker Adrian Mutu had the first shot on target after 12 minutes but his 20 metre effort flew straight at keeper Neil Alexander.

It was a false start in a frustrating first half with Rangers only lifting their support with a surging run from the halfway line by French striker Jean-Claude Darcheville.

But, following his charge into the box, his low cross was blocked and ran back to French keeper Sebastien Frey.

There was little in the way of chances until five minutes from the interval as both sides seemed content to play out a draw.

Argentine Mario Alberto Santana pounced after a through ball into the penalty area, but as keeper Alexander dived down to meet him , Rangers' defender Carlos Cuelllar came to the rescue with a deft tackle 12 metres out.

Rangers rallied after the interval and a quickly taken free-kick down the right by Kirk Broadfoot released Nacho Novo but the Spanish striker blazed his shot across the near side netting from just inside the box.

Fiorentina fired back with a 30-metre shot from the middle by Santana which forced keeper Alexander to plunge to his right and smother the danger on the line.

The second leg is next Thursday in Florence.

(Reporting by Kenny MacDonald; Editing by Justin Palmer)