Rangers were sent crashing out of Europe when Linas Pilibaitis snatched a late winner as FBK Kaunas beat Walter Smith's side 2-1 in their make-or break Champions League qualifier.
The first leg at Ibrox had ended goalless last week but Rangers looked set to progress on away goals when Kevin Thomson netted in the first half, despite Nerijus Radzius levelling for the hosts.
But last season's UEFA Cup finalists suffered a last-gasp sucker-punch as the Lithuanians clinched the win they needed to set up a third-round qualifying meeting, likely to be with Danish side Aalborg.
Smith admitted after the match the defeat was a big blow to Rangers.
He said: "It's a blow in every aspect, including the financial side and everything that comes with it.
"We just have to face it and get on with it. We have a job on our hands to pick everyone up.
"There was always a hope that we could pick ourselves up for this game and there was also a matter of pride of playing in Europe again.
"We enjoyed the run we had last season but we are not going to get one this season and that's a disappointment for us."
Kaunas coach Jose Couceiro believed Rangers were still strong favourites to win the tie ahead of the match
He said: "The team always believed it was possible in their home park. But Rangers were still the favourites before this match.
"They are a very strong team and Kaunas are a small club. Our championship is not a very strong championship - it's very different from Scotland.
"I must congratulate my players because they have worked fantastically for the last few weeks."
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Comment 1 - 14 of 14
to the delightful angela c .
toilet ?? celtic park the only time its a toilet is when the likes of u are there .
anyway i would prefer paradise as it stands to your 700million pound minty moonbeams project that we heard about that was going to be fully announced at the end of may .
well today is the 99th of may and im still waiting .
and seeing as you cant beat kaunas i doubt very much rangers will improve on their wonderful away record of last season in the spl,
here is a clue for you when you have 7 strikers on the books . and you have limited funds to buy more players for your team why go and buy 3 more strikers . when even a blind man can see you need at least 2 good midfielders and maybe a full back and a center half . and now that the limited funds have gone away to celtic park .
the term up the creek with out a paddle springs to mind ,
heres to 4 and MORE
Queen of the South in europe longer than the huns, love it. There is also more chance of them playing 2 up front in europe than gers. Rangers the only team in europe trying to go through on a draw every game. Disgraceful and embarrassing.
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Ranger invest 9 million, to recoup? Oh 9 million of debt. Just think of the savings on sun tan lotion,postcards and stamps, as there wont be any more foreign trips this year for the boys in blue.
Four in a row, lots of air miles, and loads of cash in the bank for Celtic this year. Shame.....
a team that only defends fell on their own swords......4 in a row!
Whats the point in going on about it, if that is what Scottish football has to offer we are struggling because to be fair pre-season or not Celtic do not look much better.
I live in MK but originate from Dundee and think Utd could give them a game this season. Good luck ET and Levein us Arabs have the faith!!
Most Rangers fans are loyal, but we don't need to put up with bad management. If Smith wants to sit in the stand he should pay for a ticket. We need someone who leads from the touch-line. Who will put it to the players at every minute of the game. Not just at half-time and full-time. I don't know if McCoist is ready for the step up but i'm sure you couldn't go that far wrong with Durrant at his side. This is where we will see how loyal our players are also to see if we can still attract players to the club this year. When there is no european paycheck insentives. Come on the Gers ! (James, Glenrothes)
world beaters last year egg beaters this year mon the hoops
FBK Kaunas = Teddy Bear rapists
absolute shocker. as neither a fan of rangers or celtic, to be knocked out this early with no other euro games this season it defies logic. obviously the defensive tactics employed are failing. for a team of this size to be so dependant on one player (who is injury prone at best) doesn't really make much sense either.
A team of weightlifters, clodhoppers ,farmers boys ,old scottish type right backs, a discrace, no skill , no trickery, no arrogance, no playmaker, like night and day from last season, I can,t believe that we,ve lost to kaunus, a 2nd division scottish team, I'm going back to my roots "RUGBY", can't stands no more!
ANDRALBA
Smith must go his tactics are rubbish
What a joke............ha ha
go back to biggest toilet in the world septic **** and we will win the spl this year cmon the teddy bears
no huns in europe.HA HA
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