Sport

Rangers' unbeaten run comes to an end

Hapoel Tel-Aviv 2 Rangers 1 Rangers' undefeated run in Europe this season came to an end in Israel last night.

Thu Feb 15 2007 - 00:00

Hapoel Tel-Aviv 2 Rangers 1Rangers' undefeated run in Europe this season came to an end in Israel last night.

The home side took the lead through an impressive free-kick by Salim Toama just before the break, before Nacho Novo hauled Rangers back into the game, adding to the goals he had already scored in the tournament against Livorno, Auxerre and Maccabi Haifa.

But Baruch Degu ensured victory for the Israelis when he grabbed the winner with 15 minutes to go - just when it looked as though Rangers would hold on for a crucial draw.

Last night's reverse also means the current crop of players have failed to better the club record of 12 European games without defeat, which was set by Walter Smith's side during his first spell as manager in the 1990s.

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Smith made three changes yesterday from the side who defeated Kilmarnock in the Premier League at the weekend. Kevin Thomson and Ugo Ehiogu were ruled out after both picked up hamstring injuries at Rugby Park, while Charlie Adam was dropped to the bench. In came Gavin Rae, Karl Svensson and Novo.

Hapoel opened the scoring after 42 minutes when David Weir fouled Izbita Ogbona just outside the box. Allan McGregor had no chance when Toama sent a stunning free-kick curling into the back of the net.

But the Ibrox side were on level terms with 53 minutes gone. A Barry Ferguson free-kick on the edge of the box took a slight deflection and rebounded off the post, but Novo put the ball in with his knee.

However, Hapoel reclaimed their lead with 15 minutes to go. Elyaniv Barda's effort looked to be heading wide of target, but Degu burst into the box and slid home from seven yards.

"I'm bitterly disappointed," said Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist. "I felt we had weathered the storm and I was pleased. The goals were poor ones to lose. I didn't think the first one was a free-kick, but he took it well."

HAPOEL TEL-AVIV: Elimelech, Abuksis (Chen 83), Ogbona (Vermot 87), Antebi, Badir, Bondar, Barda, Dago, Doani, Wellington (De Bruno 67), Toama. Subs not used: Ben Shaanan, Abutbul, Jolic, Peretz. Booked: Ogbona, Bondar, De Bruno. Goals: Toama 43, Dago 76.

RANGERS: McGregor, Hutton, Svensson, Weir, Rae, Ferguson, Hemdani, Novo (Sionko 79), Burke (Adam 84), Murray, Boyd. Subs not used: Robinson, Sebo, Lennon, McMillan, Perry. Booked: Burke, Murray. Goal: Novo 53.

Referee: Pedro Oliveira Alves Garcia (Portugal).