Rangers crash out as Celtic stroll on
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Your support makes all the difference.Rangers were dramatically knocked out of the Uefa Cup by the Czech side Viktoria Zizkov on away goals at Ibrox last night while, Celtic, whom Alex McLeish's side face on Sunday in the first Old Firm derby of the season, strolled to a 2-0 against FK Suduva in Lithuania despite resting many of their first-choice players.
It was a deeply frustrating night for Rangers, who trailed Zizkov 2-0 from the first leg in Prague. Two goals from Ronald de Boer took the tie to extra time and 47,000 home fans was getting ready to acclaim victory when the substitute Neil McCann put them 3-2 ahead on aggregate with a close-range finish from a De Boer cross.
However, less than a minute after coming on, Zizkov's substitute Marcel Licka levelled the tie 3-3 with a low shot when the Rangers defence failed to deal with a cross from the left.
In a frantic finish, both McCann and the Argentinian striker Claudio Caniggia wasted golden opportunities to rescue Rangers, with the visitors' goalkeeper Pavel Kucera in inspired form. Even though Jan Buryan was sent off late on for two bookable offences, Zizkov hung on to go through on away goals.
Celtic, who entertain Rangers on Sunday, fielded a much-changed side in Lithuania against Suduva but still won 2-0 to ease into the next round 10-1 on aggregate.
David Fernandez gave Martin O'Neill's team the lead in the 14th minute, a neat finish from John Hartson's flick providing him with his first goal for Celtic since moving from Livingston.
Alan Thompson made it two in the 25th minute after Hartson laid a Didier Agathe cross into his path but the Welsh striker later spoiled his night's work by missing a penalty.
Liam Miller and Simon Lynch came on for Celtic in the second half to join fellow youngsters John Kennedy and Shaun Maloney as O'Neill's thoughts turned to Sunday's game at Parkhead.
"There were a number of players who did very well tonight," the Celtic manager said. "They haven't played themselves out of contention for Sunday. Alan Thompson was another who did really well."
Trailing 5-2 from the first leg in Austria, Livingston knew their hopes of an improbable recovery were virtually extinguished when they trailed 3-1 to Sturm Graz after 54 minutes at Almondvale stadium.
However Davide Xausa and Marvin Andrew brought them level and a last-minute strike from Barry Wilson, his second of the night, made it 4-3. The Austrians eventually went through 8-6 on aggregate, Imre Szabics (2) and David Mujiri getting their goals.
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