NICOLAE STANCIU hopes an away goal for Rangers doesn't come back to haunt Slavia Prague ahead of their trip to Ibrox next week.

The Romanian scored a stunning opening goal to put Prague ahead on Thursday night but it was Steven Gerrard's side who would end the evening more satisfied with the score.

A Filip Helander goal and wonderful late save from Allan McGregor could prove crucial in the tie as Rangers look to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

READ MORE: Rangers boss Steven Gerrard ready to grasp Europa League opportunity at Ibrox

Gerrard has insisted the last 16 clash is 50-50 at present but Stanciu was frustrated that Jindřich Trpišovský's won't take a lead to Ibrox with them for the return leg.

Stanciu said: "I am happy about the goal, but if I could choose, I would choose the game to finish in a goalless draw.

“I cannot say that I am happy with the result. A 1-1 draw at home is not enough in my opinion. But we still got the second leg and we must score there.

“I knew I was going to shoot. And as soon as I hit the ball, I knew that it would take a good trajectory.

"I am happy about the goal, but if I could choose, I would choose the game to finish in a goalless draw instead of 1-1.

“It was not just about me; other players had their chances too. We played a great first half in which we should score more goals. In the second half we haven’t shown our best football and it’s a pity.

READ MORE: Slavia Prague 1-1 Rangers: Steven Gerrard's side have Europa League advantage ahead of Ibrox clash

“It’s maybe fourth or fifth game in a row in which we conceded a goal from a set piece. It was a stupid one, without it we could win this match.

“They haven’t surprised us, we were watching their games on a video, we knew everything about them.

"In the first half, we were the only team playing and we created a lot of chances. But in the end, it’s a draw and we must score away when we want to progress.”