Love breaks Gers hearts

Rangers 1 CSKA Moscow 1 (CSKA Moscow win 3-2 on aggregate

The result also means a loss of £8m in revenue - as well the loss of prestige - and Celtic will be aiming to inflict further pain on their rivals at Parkhead on Sunday.

The home side’s task was to retrieve a 2-1 first-leg deficit. Substitute Steven Thompson fired a late equaliser on the night and there was an even later chance for fellow substitute Marvin Andrews, who had set up the goal, but the Russian champions were not to be denied.

The setback heaps more pressure onto the shoulders of manager Alex McLeish, who has yet to see his side keep a clean sheet in Europe in 14 attempts.

There was also a flash of controversy just before half-time when Nacho Novo netted with a fine strike which was disallowed because the whistle had already gone.

Now Rangers’ name will appear in tomorrow’s low-key UEFA Cup draw rather than sampling the razzmatazz of today’s Champions League selections.

RANGERS: Klos, Ricksen, Moore, Boumsong, Vignal, Arveladze, Hughes, Mladenovic, Lovenkrands, Prso, Novo.

CSKA MOSCOW: Akinfeev, Berezoutski, Semberas, Ignashevich, Odiah, Zhirkov, Rahimic, Aldonin, Jarosik, Olic, Vagner Love.

Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany).