Glasgow Rangers crash out of Europe
It was a disastrous European night for Walter Smith
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Tuesday, 05, Aug 2008 10:29
Glasgow Rangers went crashing out of Europe after a late goal from FBK Kaunas midfielder Linas Pilibaitis condemned them to a 2-1 defeat.
Last season's Uefa Cup finalists went to Lithuania with a 0-0 draw from the first leg at Ibrox.
And with the game at 1-1 they seemed to be sneaking their way through to the third Champions League qualifying round courtesy of the away goal.
Then with just four minutes remaining on the clock, former Hearts midfielder Pilibaitis headed home from a corner, with the ball squeezing past three Rangers players on its way into the net.
It was crushing blow for Walter Smith's side who now face a season with no European football whatsoever.
It had started brightly for the Ibrox side when Kevin Thomson collected a Nacho Novo pass in the 33rd minute, and fired through the legs of the Kaunas goalkeeper.
Rangers weren't able to hold the lead until half-time, however, as Kaunas drew level when Nerijus Radzius equalised with a tremendous 30-yard free-kick just two minutes before the break.
The home side were on top in the second-half and nearly took the lead in the 55th minute when Marius Cinikas clipped the top of the crossbar.
Rangers had goalkeeper Allan McGregor to thank moments later when he made a smart save from a long-range header from Adrian Mrowiec.
Former Kaunas player Andrius Velicka had Rangers' best chance of the second-half when he picked up a Sasa Papac but shot over the bar.
Walter Smith's side thought they had done enough to win on away goals, and were playing for the draw when Pilibaitis struck to ruin their night.