Nacho Novo's injury-time strike in the first leg proved decisive as Rangers held out for a goalless draw in Belgrade to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League at the expense of Crvena Zvezda.

On the few occasions the hosts did get the better of the Rangers defence to fashion chances, they were met by an inspired goalkeeper in Allan McGregor. The Scot pulled off a string of fine saves, in particular from Igor Burzanovic and Ogrijen Koroman to ensure his side kept the clean sheet they needed.

Walter Smith's side will now be among the 32 teams going into Thursday's draw for the group stages, which begin in September.

The Serbian champions enjoyed their best opportunity of the match in the very first minute following a slip from Carlos Cuellar. The Spaniard tripped over himself trying to retreat to clear a long ball into the area, though McGregor got his angles right to block Burzanovic's shot.

Joao Lucas and Koroman provided a constant threat from midfield, though Nery Castillo and Burzanovic struggled to impose themselves against David Weir and Cuellar. When Koroman volleyed a through ball from Lukas into the path of Vladimir Dordevic, Cuellar was there again to hack clear.

Jean-Claude Darcheville was left to plough a lonely furrow in attack for the visitors, though he managed to set up a half-chance for Barry Ferguson just before the half-hour mark which the Scot fired past the near post.

McGregor was called into the action once more before the break, again to dey Burzanovic who had burst past Whittaker down the left flank.

Darcheville was rewarded for his diligent work in attack when he was sent in behind the Crvena defence, though the stocky Frenchman dragged his left foot shot inches wide of the far post.

That triggered an immediate fightback from the home side, with McGregor tipping over a fierce first-time drive from Koroman on the edge of the area.

The Rangers defence stood firm over the closing stages in the face of mounting pressure, while the introduction of DaMarcus Beasley aided them in their quests to keep possession high up the pitch, and the Glasgow side clung on for a well deserved draw.

MF / Eurosport