Sevilla were worthy winners in front of their own fans

By Colin Moffat

Rangers finished a dismal Champions League campaign with defeat in a one-sided game against Sevilla.

Following an early onslaught, all the Spanish side had to show for their efforts was an eighth-minute penalty from Frederic Kanoute.

Sevilla continued to dominate and Didier Zokora struck the post with a fierce, curling strike.

Rangers threatened an unlikely comeback late on, with shots from Nacho Novo and Lee McCulloch going close.

The defeat in Spain means Rangers finish the Group G campaign on just two points, the lowest ever yield from a Scottish team in the competition.

The visitors knew before kick off that they could not even progress to the Europa League and elected for a damage limitation exercise, following three bruising home defeats.

Walter Smith packed his players behind the ball and home keeper Anders Palop was a virtual spectator until the closing minutes.

Sevilla were without star striker Luis Fabiano and several other first team regulars but the home side looked far from under strength in the early stages.

It needed a terrific goal-line clearance from Sasa Papac to deny Kanoute in the third minute after the Mali striker had neatly controlled a long, high ball and prodded it beyond Allan McGregor.

Rangers then survived a strong penalty claim when a close-range Kanoute shot was blocked by the arm of Steven Davis.

However, referee Bertrand Layec was pointing at the spot soon after, when Steven Whittaker lost control of the ball and upended Fernando Navarro.

Kanoute sent McGregor the wrong way with a cool finish.

The Rangers keeper had to come flying out of his area to clear another rapid attack but Madjid Bougherra was sweeping up to block when the loose ball broke to Jesus Navas, who tried his luck with a chip from 25 yards.

Renato fired in two vicious efforts from long range, the first of which was awkwardly scooped away by McGregor, with the second fizzing high and wide.

There was another appeal for a home penalty when Kanoute tumbled under pressure from Bougherra and Renato was presented with a chance by a hesitant David Weir only to be denied by McGregor, who initially spilled but quickly recovered to smother.

Sevilla took their foot off the gas for the middle half hour and were content to knock the ball around for long spells.

Jesus Navas shot wide on 66 minutes but, with Kanoute withdrawn early in the second half, the hosts lost much of their potency.

Alvaro Negredo, Kanoute's replacement, did well to spin away from Weir at the near post but dragged a hurried shot wildly off target.

Another substitute, Aldo Duscher, almost marked his first touch with a goal but McGregor got fingertips to the Argentine's rising strike.

With 10 minutes remaining, former Spurs midfielder Zokora curled a sweet strike against the post, with McGregor well beaten, and Negredo made a hash of the rebound.

Rangers had their first effort on goal when Novo, on as a half time substitute, stole in behind the home defence and ahead of the advancing Palop to drill a shot into the side-netting.

On 88 minutes, McCulloch caught a half-volley flush from 22 yards and forced a good save from Palop but the late rally from the visitors bore no fruit.

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