Rangers booked their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup and gave Scottish football a huge boost in the process.

A goal from Jonatan Johansson in the 56th minute put them in the driving seat in front of a capacity crowd. However, they were forced to play out an agonising last 12 minutes when Ulf Kirsten pulled a goal back.

But Rangers rode their luck and completed an execution job on the Germans.

Arthur Numan returned to the Rangers starting line-up against the Bundesliga giants.

The Dutch World Cup defender, whose progress has been hampered by a knee injury, replaced Tony Vidmar.

Finland striker Johansson, who had recovered from a groin injury, was also in from the start at the expense of Gabriel Amato.

Rangers went into the second round match aiming to build on their marvellous 2-1 victory from the first leg in Germany.

Leverkusen, however, were boosted by the return of influential striker Kirsten after a knee injury.

Rangers had a scare in the opening couple of minutes when Colin Hendry was left in a heap following a shuddering challenge on Ze Roberto.

The Scotland skipper went off holding his shoulder but was able to resume after treatment.

The German side, the last one left in the UEFA Cup, made a spirited start with the Dutchman Erik Meijer at the heart of things.

With Rangers pushing up for offside, Meir scampered away only to see his shot blocked by keeper Lionel Charbonnier.

The Rangers supporters were becoming increasingly anxious but their spirits were raised after a flowing move started by under-fire skipper Lorenzo Amoruso.

He released Rod Wallace down the right and the former Leeds striker nodded the ball into the path of Johansson.

However, his touch let him down and from eight yards he powered a shot into the crowd.

Leverkusen continued to look dangerous every time they broke forward and Charbonnier had to look lively in beating away a 25-yard thunderbolt from Jan Heintze.

Then Nowotny curled a shot just wide after Meijer had again carved open the Rangers defence.

Leverkusen coach Christophe Daum made a switch six minutes before the break, replacing Robert Kovac with the Brazilian Emerson.

Rangers went ahead on the night and 3-1 on aggregate with a stunning goal ten minutes after the break.

Italian defender Amoruso launched a long ball forward and Johansson's pace took him clear.

He had colleagues ready and waiting to be released but the young Finnish star, who scored in the first leg, knew exactly what he wanted to do.

From 20 yards out he struck a majestic curling shot into the corner beyond startled keeper Adam Matysek.

The Germans, who had enjoyed much possession, could scarcely believe it and neither could the partisan 50,000 crowd.

Rangers, however, lost keeper Charbonnier in the 66th minute after he fell badly and was stretchered off.

Antti Niemi came on in his place and was beaten 12 minutes later when Kirsten smacked in a low cross from sub Thomas Reichenberger.

The goal came a minute after Barry Ferguson had squandered a great chance after being released by Wallace and Rangers were forced to play out a nerve-wracking last 12 minutes.

Teams

Rangers: Charbonnier, Porrini, Hendry, Amoruso, Numan, Kanchelskis, B. Ferguson, Van Bronckhorst, Albertz, Wallace, Johansson. Subs: Amato, Niemi, I. Ferguson, Petric, Wilson, Vidmar, Miller.