Henry expects Rangers to qualify

Although Ronaldinho and Co dominated, Rangers threatened to sneak a famous victory in the closing stages before preserving their proud unbeaten run in Group E with a goalless draw.

And Henry expects the fourth seeds from Scotland to reach the last-16 for the second time in three years at the expense of his compatriots Lyon, whose 2- 0 win in Stuttgart lifted them on to three points

"Rangers can progress along with Barcelona, why not?" said Henry, who spurned the game's best chance with a wayward header in the second half.

"Hopefully, we will beat them in Spain but, even then, they would have a chance to go through in Germany against Stuttgart or at home to Lyon.

"They have what it takes to win either of those games. Anyway, I cannot see Lyon winning 4-0 at Ibrox if they had to. I'm French, but I do not see that happening.

"Rangers are top of the group alongside us and deserve to be there. Scottish football is on a high. Milan were beaten here by Celtic a couple of weeks ago and we haven't managed a win tonight.

"The Old Firm and Scotland are doing well. I know what the players here are capable of now - it is just that for the past 10 years, it has not been so good for you."

Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Henry could not find a way past Allan McGregor, with the only cloud for Rangers a yellow card for Kevin Thomson which rules him out of the November 7 visit to the Nou Camp.

David Weir is also one card away from a ban after picking up a caution.

"You must give credit to Rangers," said Henry. "They have already won 3-0 in France and I know how good that was - against a side that has won the league for six years.

"So this draw was possibly a good result for both sides. Rangers worked very hard tonight. They were always there at the back to stop us. We had control of the ball almost throughout but didn't score and Daniel Cousin maybe had one late chance for them.

"We could have played it a bit quicker, rather than pass it around but I felt we played well and Rangers defended well. A point away from home was a good one for us. We have two games at home now and can finish the job and qualify."

While delighted with the draw, Rangers boss Smith said he now expects a strong challenge from Lyon for a place in the top two.

And he believes it could result in a showdown at Ibrox on December 12 to rival Scotland's do-or-die clash with Italy next month.

"This was a big result for us," he said. "For us to contemplate having seven points from three games is a big, big thing. I honestly did not think we would get there.

"But Lyon got a good win in Stuttgart and they will fancy their chances. We have a difficult next game in Barcelona. We still have it all to do and gaining a point tonight was fantastic.

"We could be in a similar situation to Scotland in that they have to beat Italy to qualify for the European Championships. We may have to beat Lyon at Ibrox to make sure we qualify from the group. I was delighted with our performance and the result tonight."

Meanwhile, Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard refused to blame Austrian referee Konrad Plautz for failing to award his side a penalty in the 22nd minute when Alan Hutton appeared to handle a netbound drive from Ronaldinho.

"I saw the images on television but that's just part of the game," said the Dutchman. "I don't think the referee's decision was why we didn't win."

Rijkaard also backed Henry's view that Rangers can progress to the knockout stages.

He said: "It's in their own hands and it's quite possible they'll get through."