Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers admits his side's defending is a "real concern" after conceding another poor goal in their first-leg 1-1 draw against Suduva in Lithuania earlier.

Rodgers felt Celtic made “really hard work of it" after Olivier Ntcham's early goal was swiftly cancelled out as the unmarked Ovidijus Verbickasof headed home a free-kick.

“We gave away a soft goal," Rodgers said. "That is a real concern. We are not giving away many chances, but we don’t defend the set-piece well enough.

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“It is a European goal away from home and we go back next week to finish the job, but I look at the performance level and it wasn’t quite how we wanted.

“We seem to lack concentration. That is a problem for us and our pride in terms of defending.

"It was a terrific ball into the box, but we have to defend it better than that. It gave them a bit of oxygen in the game that really our start should never have given them.”

Ufa get the second half under way at a packed Ibrox.

Can Rangers build on the lead given them just before half-time by the impressive Connor Goldson?

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The big news before kick-off for Rangers was the appearance on the bench of Lee Wallace.

The 31-year-old has not played since picking up an injury 11 months ago - and his troubles did not end there.

Following a dressing-room row with then manager Graeme Murty, he and striker Kenny Miller were suspended by the club.

The pair launched an appeal and, while Miller was released at the end of his contract, Wallace has continued his recovery from injury.

Rangers have signed Borna Barisic from Osijek this summer, while Jon Flanagan has been filling in at left-back after his move from Liverpool.

But Wallace is a surprise inclusion in the squad tonight with Barisic being cup-tied.

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Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

Rangers are just about worthy of their half-time lead over Ufa.

Alfredo Morelos has been the bulldozing nuisance we expect of him against the Russian side's defence and forced a good save from Aleksander Belenov before his header set up the opening goal.

Belenov spilled the striker's header and Connor Goldson pounced for his second goal since joining Rangers from Brighton & Hove Albion this summer.

But Steven Gerrard's side could have conceded an equaliser as Ufa squandered two quick-fire chances just before the half-time whistle.

Rangers will be hoping to extend that lead ahead of their tricky return leg in the Bashkortostan area of Russia.

So close to an equaliser for Ufa as goalkeeper Allan McGregor blocks with his legs from close range after the ball drops to Dmitri Zhivoglaydov inside the penalty box.

And, from the corner, fellow defender Ionut Nedelcearu, fires just over the crossbar.

Steven Thompson
Former Scotland striker on BBC Sportsound

Another James Tavernier free-kick, another chance for Rangers.

Alfredo Morelos wins another foul and, from the right again, another ball is swung in to the Ufa penalty area. Connor Goldson meets it, but the centre-half can't keep it on target.

Steven Gerrard will be pleased with the intent shown from his side, but they need to convert.

Steven Thompson
Former Scotland striker on BBC Sportsound

Against Progres Niederkorn last week, Ufa were vulnerable to crosses to the front post and Alfredo Morelos is fouled on the edge of the box just as Ryan Kent looks poised to deliver to that area.

James Tavernier steps up to take the free-kick, but the Rangers captain shoots straight down the throat of goalkeeper Aleksandre Belenov.

Steven Gerrard's side continue to knock on the door, but Ufa have yet to be overly troubled.

Scott McDonald
Former Celtic striker on BBC Sportsound

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer at Carnoustie

Alfredo Morelos will be frustrated with that. A deep ball from Connor Goldson on the right reaches the Colombian in the box, but the striker can't generate enough power on the header to trouble goalkeeper Aleksandr Belenov.

There were concerns that Ufa might have to forfeit tonight's game against Rangers because of there might not be time for their players to receive visas and their squad had to visit the British consulate just hours before taking on Dynamo Moscow - and losing 3-0 in the Russian capital.

But coach Sergei Tomarov did not think it would affect his players at Ibrox.

"The actual problem was because we played that game with Dynamo on Monday and we had to be at the consulate the same day, so that was the main hurdle," he said.

"All the Russian-speaking players had to go to the consulate, even those who did not travel with us because we were unaware, if there might be any injuries or other unexpected delays, so everybody had to go.

"As soon as we walked out of the embassy, we put it all behind us."

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

The match at Ibrox in under way and Rangers almost take an early lead against their Russian visitors when Daniel Candeias' volley is touched over the crossbar by goalkeeper Aleksander Belenov.

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It all looked so promising for Celtic when Olivier Ntcham gave the visitors the lead after three minutes.

But Ovidijus Verbickas had the Lithuanian champions level within 10 minutes.

And, even though Celtic had most of the possession, it needed a couple of good saves from Craig Gordon to ensure that Brendan Rodgers' side head back to Glasgow level for next week's second leg.

Celtic will be strong favourites to progress to the group stage, but this was not an impressive performance and there is still a lot of work to do in the return leg.