Stuttgart 1 Rangers 0
By Jon West

RANGERS’ slim hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout stages were extinguished by defeat in Stuttgart, who booked their place in the next phase with a 1-0 win last night.Defender Timo Wenzel netted the only goal of a game Rangers had kicked off needing nothing short of victory to stay alive, and the Scottish champions must now make sure of a place in the UEFA Cup by avoiding defeat at home to Panathinaikos in the final game.

Rangers manager Alex McLeish was without five experienced players as Mikel Arteta, Ronald de Boer, Craig Moore, Christian Nerlinger and Steven Thompson were all out injured. Stephen Hughes was booked in the fourth minute for a challenge on Silvio Meissner that was both high and late. Rangers got into a rhythm and came more into the game. Hildebrand saved Stuttgart in the 22nd minute when Ross fired a ball into the box from the right and Arveladze chested the ball forward perfectly for the on-rushing Ricksen.

The Dutchman fired goalwards only for Hildebrand to make an excellent block.

It had been an excellent move but Stuttgart almost replied with the opener at the other end. Hleb sent Kuranyi away with a superbly-weighted pass but his team-mate, clean through, screwed his shot across the goal.

As the half entered stoppage-time Khizanishvili was adjudged to have fouled Szabics 30 yards out and as Rangers failed to deal with the high ball Wenzel volleyed the ball past Klos. Neither side made changes at the break but within four minutes Christian Tiffert had come on for Heldt. In the 54th minute Rangers brought on Mols for Vanoli in a bid to get more bodies forward.

Meissner was booked in the 57th minute for a foul on Ross, who whipped in a decent ball to the back post but Ricksen was penalised for his challenge on Andreas Hinkel.

The home fans were angry when play continued while Hleb was down injured and he was withdrawn in favour of Emanuel Centurion. Arveladze was adjudged to have fouled the newcomer on the edge of the box on the right and the free kick move saw Wenzel force a save out of Klos.

A long-range effort from Ball hit Ostenstad. Lovenkrands, who had earlier disputed a free-kick award, was booked for a foul on the Rangers left which also saw the Dane kick the ball away.

VFB STUTTGART: Hildebrand, Hinkel, Meira, Wenzel, Lahm, Meissner, Soldo, Heldt, Hleb, Szabics, Kuranyi.

RANGERS: Klos, Ross, Berg, Khizanishvili, Ball, Hughes, Vanoli, Capucho, Ricksen, Arveladze, Lovenkrands.

Referee: Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez (Spain)