Nacho Novo hit the decisive penalty as Rangers beat Fiorentina 4-2 on spot-kicks following a 0-0 aggregate draw to reach the UEFA Cup final.After a drab 120 minutes of football failed to produce a goal, Rangers edged out their Italian opponents on spot-kicks with misses from Fabio Liverani and Christian Vieri proving crucial. And converted efforts from Steven Whittaker, Sasa Papac, Brahim Hemdani and finally Novo fired Walter Smith's side through to the City of Manchester Stadium showpiece where they will face Zenit St Petersburg, and former manager Dick Advocaat, on Wednesday May 14.

Chances were few and far between in a cagey opening 45 minutes with Liverani's free-kick and Riccardo Montolivo's efforts comfortably saved by Neil Alexander.

A scuffed shot from Adrian Mutu was also controlled by the goalkeeper, while Montolivo blasted over the bar.

Rangers, on the other hand, failed to test Sebastien Frey in the Viola goal.

Mutu attempted to spark the tie into life after the break but he screwed wide when under pressure from Kirk Broadfoot. Gianpaolo Pazzini then stabbed a shot inches wide of the post.

A rare Rangers attack then saw Steve Davis flick a volley goalwards, though his 10-yard effort was comfortably held by Frey.

Rangers then got out of jail when substitute Vieri somehow managed to miss the ball from two yards out with the goal gaping.

Frey then earned his money by pulling off a diving save to keep out Steven Whittaker's curling effort as the match headed into extra time following 180 minutes without a goal.

Vieri had a great chance to open the scoring inside the first 60 seconds of added-on time when he drilled a left-footed shot a yard wide of Neil Alexander's left-hand post.

Daniel Cousin then saw a shot deflected just over the bar as Rangers mounted a rare attack, before a moment of madness from the Gers striker saw him see red after he went head to head with Massimo Gobbi.

Novo and Mutu then spurned chances at either end as the match finished goalless and headed into penalties.

Barry Ferguson got Rangers off to the worst possible start when his effort was spectacularly saved but misses from Liverani and Vieri turned the tie Rangers' way and they booked their place in Manchester to spark joyous scenes among their travelling fans and thousands back home in the blue half of Glasgow.

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