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Rangers outshine Red Star

Written by Ramaz Mitaishvili
Tuesday, 28 August 2007
Rangers secured qualification for the lucrative UEFA Champions League group stages after a hard-fought scoreless draw with Red Star Belgrade Tuesday. Walter Smith's side endured a hard match against the Serbian champions, who ultimately failed to score the goal that would have given them hope of qualifying for the competition proper for the first time. Despite Red Star coach Milorad Kosanovic making late substitutions as the final whistle approached, his changes failed to dent a hole in an astute Rangers defence. The visitors soaked up the pressure in the closing stages to go through 1-0 on aggregate following Nacho Novo's late winner at Ibrox two weeks ago. And Rangers will leave the Serbian capital knowing that it was mainly their keeper Allan McGregor's heroics which secured their ticket for this week's group stage draw. McGregor twice denied Igor Burzanovic in the opening 45 minutes, the playmaker's first effort coming inside the first minute of play. Rangers defender Carlos Cuellar missed his attempt at a headed clearance and Burzanovic pounced, only to see McGregor block his effort from point blank range. McGregor then pushed the ball to safety just after the half hour mark when Burzanovic burst into the penalty area and drove a shot from the right of goal. After the break Rangers saw Jean-Claude Darcheville and Lee McCulloch go close, Darcheville's effort coming shortly after his claim for a penalty, having been brought down by Ibrahima Gueye, was waved away. Darcheville found some space on the right and crossed for Barry Ferguson but the Rangers captain's effort went wide of the near post. The hosts spurned a great chance to grab the opener when defender Dusan Andjelkovic sliced his right-footed shot well over the bar from 14 yards. McGregor denied Andjelkovic again after his goal-bound drive from 15 yards. Shortly before the hour mark Darcheville should have killed off Red Star's hopes but after wriggling clear he drove the ball wide of the far post from the edge of the box. McCulloch then forced Red Star goalkeeper Ivan Randjelovic to get down swiftly to parry his drive wide of the post. At the other end McGregor confirmed his hero status when he tipped a blistering 25-yard effort from Ognjen Koroman over the crossbar in the closing stages. !