Spot-kicks win has~Gers in dreamland

Novo kept his cool to convert the decisive spot-kick after Alexander had saved from Fabio Liverani and Christian Vieri had missed in a tense shoot-out.

The full 210 minutes of football failed to separate the two clubs as the tie finished goalless.

But Rangers will now feature in their first European final since lifting the European Cup Winners’ Cup back in 1972, when they face former Light Blues boss Dick Advocaat’s Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester on May 14.

Thursday night’s encounter had been a largely forgettable affair, with Rangers on the backfoot for the majority. Daniel Cousin’s red card for going head to head with Massimo Gobbi ensured a nervy finale, but Walter Smith’s side held on.