A FINISH of the quality Rangers had, despite a wholehearted performance in their final Group G game here in Austria, proved unable to produce themselves brought a painful end to their remarkable European run just six minutes from the end of regulation time.

The Ibrox club needed an outright victory against Rapid Vienna in the Allianz Stadium last night to progress to the knockout rounds of the competition and did well enough in the course of the 90 minutes to achieve their objective. Crucially, though, they failed to net.

When Dejan Ljubicic linked with his fellow substitute Christoph Knasmullner and slotted beyond Allan McGregor in the 84th minute a journey that had started five months earlier, had seen them visit six countries and take part in no fewer than 14 games was all over.

Steven Gerrard and his players, who only came together in the summer, can be proud of their efforts since taking on Shkupi of Macedonia back in July. They certainly put their indifferent domestic form firmly behind them here. That they were applauded off the park at the end by their supporters told its own story.

However, their exit to Rapid, who will go into the last 32 draw on Monday instead of them after finishing second behind Villarreal in their section, still hurt badly. Their opponents, who they defeated 3-1 at home back at the start of October, were beatable.

Rangers’ failure to hit the target in the group stages – they were held to goalless draws by both Spartak Moscow and Villarreal in Glasgow – has cost them dear. They have only lost two games in the Europa League during their campaign. But there is little margin for error at this high level.

There was a large travelling support inside the Westadion and flags from Alloa, Burnbank, Bishopton, Easter Ross, Girvan, Kincardine, Paisley and Renfrew were all draped over the front of their section of the ground.

A few idiots set off flares during the flag display before kick-off and one was thrown onto the playing surface. UEFA punishment is likely to follow. But, that aside, the match passed without incident in the stands.

Gerrard had been scathing about the performance of his players in their 1-1 draw with Dundee at Dens Park on Sunday. Only four of them – McGregor, James Tavernier, Connor Goldson and Ryan Jack – survived.

Gerrard sprang a major surprise in his team selection by handing a place in his starting line-up to Ross McCrorie in central midfield. The 20-year-old had previously kicked off a game against Ayr United in the Betfred Cup quarter-final at the end of September and had played less than 45 minutes of competitive football in his three appearances following that.

The players the youngster was preferred to could have no complaints about their omissions given their poor displays last week. But it was asking an awful lot of him to come in to such a big away game and excel.

McCrorie performed the holding midfielder role in a 4-1-4-1 formation. He, along with a few of his team mates, was needlessly careless in possession early on. But the poor playing surface may not have helped. He grew in confidence as the game progressed and helped Gareth McAuley and Connor Goldson behind him carry out their defensive duties. Not that they were tested greatly.

It was very difficult to see how Rapid could have beaten Spartak Moscow in Russia in their penultimate group game last month from their showing here. Rangers goalkeeper McGregor wasn’t tested whatsoever the opening 45 minutes. The fact, of course, that the home team only needed a draw may have been a factor.

The visitors looked far likelier to open the scoring. Jack suddenly rediscovered his best form in the middle of the park. He pounced on any stray balls, was cool in possession and distributed the ball intelligently. Outside him. Arfield also enjoyed a a good night.

However, Morelos, who had quickly, in his inimitable fashion, taken exception to a challenge from opposition centre half Mateo Barac, was denied any decent service in the first-half. Still, the temperamental striker dropped deep to win the ball and worked tirelessly to create an opening.

Borna Barisic, preferred to both Jon Flanagan and Andy Halliday, tried his luck with a free-kick in the 16th minute after Barac had brought down Morelos within shooting range. But Rapid keeper Richard Strebinger saved the weak effort easily.

Italian referee Paolo Mazzeleni awarded Rangers another free-kick just outside the Rapid area five minutes later when Boli Bolingoli handled a Tavernier cross. The captain whipped a delivery into the six yard box and Goldson met it with a powerful header. He was only denied by the crossbar.

Rapid manager Dietmar Kuhbauer put on Christoph Knasmullner for Thomas Murg, who had been ineffectual playing, just off his lone striker Veton Berisha at the start of the second-half. The replacement got a shot on target, the first by his side, in the 52nd minute. But McGregor was equal to it and the match remained goalless.

Rangers, though, continued to threaten. Arfield had an attempted cleared, Morelos looked dangerous in the final third, Middleton had a cross shelled upfield to safety and Lassana Coulibaly chipped over.

As the match wore on, Gerrard withdrew the disappointing Coulibaly and put on Eros Grezda on and removed Jack and replaced him with Kyle Lafferty in an attempt to get the goal his side so desperately needed.

Tavernier went close when he got a powerful low shot on target in the 81st minute. But Ljubicic did better shortly after on what ended up being a wretched night for the away team.