;)
2009-12-10 @ 09:06:23
Rangers finished a dismal Champions League campaign with defeat in a one-sided game against Sevilla.
Following an early onslaught, all the Spanish side had to show for their efforts was an eighth-minute penalty from Frederic Kanoute.
Sevilla continued to dominate and Didier Zokora struck the post with a fierce, curling strike.
Rangers threatened an unlikely comeback late on, with shots from Nacho Novo and Lee McCulloch going close.
The defeat in Spain means Rangers finish the Group G campaign on just two points, the lowest ever yield from a Scottish team in the competition.
The visitors knew before kick off that they could not even progress to the Europa League and elected for a damage limitation exercise, following three bruising home defeats.
Walter Smith packed his players behind the ball and home keeper Anders Palop was a virtual spectator until the closing minutes.
Sevilla were without star striker Luis Fabiano and several other first team regulars but the home side looked far from under strength in the early stages.
It needed a terrific goal-line clearance from Sasa Papac to deny Kanoute in the third minute after the Mali striker had neatly controlled a long, high ball and prodded it beyond Allan McGregor.
Rangers then survived a strong penalty claim when a close-range Kanoute shot was blocked by the arm of Steven Davis.
Following an early onslaught, all the Spanish side had to show for their efforts was an eighth-minute penalty from Frederic Kanoute.
Sevilla continued to dominate and Didier Zokora struck the post with a fierce, curling strike.
Rangers threatened an unlikely comeback late on, with shots from Nacho Novo and Lee McCulloch going close.
The defeat in Spain means Rangers finish the Group G campaign on just two points, the lowest ever yield from a Scottish team in the competition.
The visitors knew before kick off that they could not even progress to the Europa League and elected for a damage limitation exercise, following three bruising home defeats.
Walter Smith packed his players behind the ball and home keeper Anders Palop was a virtual spectator until the closing minutes.
Sevilla were without star striker Luis Fabiano and several other first team regulars but the home side looked far from under strength in the early stages.
It needed a terrific goal-line clearance from Sasa Papac to deny Kanoute in the third minute after the Mali striker had neatly controlled a long, high ball and prodded it beyond Allan McGregor.
Rangers then survived a strong penalty claim when a close-range Kanoute shot was blocked by the arm of Steven Davis.