Rangers through on penalties

Rangers keeper Stefan Klos made crucial saves

Paris Saint Germain 0-0 Rangers (Agg: 0-0 AET, 3-4 on penalties)

Rangers ended their penalty-kick hoodoo to knock Paris Saint Germain out of the Uefa Cup.

The Scottish club had never won a shoot-out in Europe but took their chance in France after both legs finished without a goal being scored in open play.

Claudio Caniggia and Bert Konterman had missed from the spot for Rangers, but captain Mauricio Pochettino was the villain for PSG, missing what proved to be the vital kick.

It saved Ronald de Boer's blushes, the Dutchman having missed a penalty four minutes before the end of extra time.

And it means that Rangers will be in European action after Christmas for the first time in nine years

Rangers celebrate after their victory

Controversial French international striker Nicolas Anelka had been left on the bench by Paris St Germain after his injury problems and rumours of a bust-up with his coach.

Rangers manager Dick Advocaat made three changes from the side that drew with Dundee.

Lorenzo Amoruso, Ronald de Boer and Peter Lovenkrands were in the line-up.

Lovenkrands was a surprise selection, but his speed immediately worried the French defence.

He latched on to Tore Andre Flo's pass behind the PSG rearguard and goalkeeper Lionel Letizi did well to block the Danish striker's low drive with his knees.

Rangers started brightly, but it was the French side who gradually established control.

Yet they were limited to long range efforts and a Ronaldinho corner that dropped on to the bar.

Rangers were forced to pull off Lovenkrands after 30 minutes, the striker failing to shake off a leg knock and being replaced by Claudio Caniggia.

Rangers celebrate after their victory

A cross from the Argentine found Flo unmarked 10 yards out, but Letizi blocked the Norwegian's header superbly.

Flo should have put Rangers ahead after 43 minutes when he was again in the clear from a Claudio Reyna free kick but headed straight at the goalkeeper.

Edouard Cisse came close after 57 minutes as PSG pinned Rangers back after the break, his 25-yard drive flashing inches wide of the post.

Anelka came on midway through the second half and almost snatched the lead after 76 minutes with an overhead kick after some panic in the Rangers defence.

Russell Latapy was thrown on by Advocaat and the midfielder almost immediately scored a vital opener, his low drive forcing a fine save from Letizi.

But it was PSG providing the pressure and Klos pulled off a superb save to prevent a 20-yard effort from substitute Bernard Mendy bulging the top corner of the net.

Caniggia was brought down by Letizi with minutes remaining only for de Boer to blast the penalty chance over, but his colleagues were to later take the spotlight off the Dutchman.

---

PSG: Letizi, Heinz, Pochettino, El Karkouri, Cristobal, Ogbeche, Cisse, Arteta, Ronaldinho Gaucho, Aloisio, Leroy. Subs: Alonzo, Potillon, Anelka, Okocha, Dias, Llacer, Mendy.

Rangers: Klos, Amoruso, Konterman, Moore, Ross, Reyna, Ferguson, Numan, de Boer, Flo, Lovenkrands. Subs: Dodds, Caniggia, Mols, Wilson, Latapy, Christiansen, Vidmar.

Referee: Hartmut Strampe (Germany).