Rangers prove a point while winning another valuable - and brave - one

Seven points was enough for former boss Alex McLeish to qualify from the groups two years ago. Now they have that already from this tough section with Barca and the champions of France and Germany. Who would have tipped it?

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The occasion last night was splendid, the action always absorbing. Rangers, throughout, stood in a thick blue line to deny some of the world's greatest talents and even threatened on occasion themselves through the seemingly limitless energy of Scotland right-back Alan Hutton.

Nonetheless, Austrian referee Konrad Plautz dealt Rangers a huge favour when he ruled Hutton's handball accidental just before half-time as the defender blocked a net-bound shot from Ronaldinho.

Thierry Henry also spurned a superb opportunity when he headed off target midway through the second half as Walter Smith's side flirted with defeat.

But they survived and Smith can head for the Nou Camp next month and then Stuttgart with seven points in his travel bag and one foot already in the last 16.

In truth, although it was a siege in possession terms — as everyone expected — Rangers restricted Barca to very few clear-cut chances. In that sense, Smith's side were terrific and so diligent.

The only dark mark was a booking for Kevin Thomson which rules him out of the rematch in Spain. Surely he was the only Ranger with regrets around midnight.

Smith kept the side that had beaten Celtic emphatically at the weekend, with Nacho Novo handed only his fourth start this season. Brahim Hemdani's injury had arguably ensured there would be no change — but Thomson and Charlie Adam smothered Barca well in the 4-5-1 formation.

The Catalans, who lost 3- 1 at Villarreal at the weekend, were in the happy position of being able to bring back Ronaldinho and Eidur Gudjohnsen, with Deco ruled out of both matches against Rangers.

The Ibrox outfit promoted a 'more than a club' message pre-match but it was an institution they were facing. Barca skipper Carles Puyol, for instance, made his 80th appearance in Europe.

Barry Ferguson sought to set the tone for his personal performance with an early backheel inside the centre circle that found Thomson perfectly. When Ferguson says now he does not fear opponents, it is believable. His level dropped a little last night but he has another fine result under his belt.

There were other encouraging portents for Smith early on. Hutton burst down the right a couple of times, as has been the norm this season, and Daniel Cousin won a free-kick wide on he left.

Barca responded with some superb possession football and Gudjohnsen headed one effort over the bar before Carlos Cuellar hacked away from close to his line when striker Lionel Messi seemed likely to score.

When David Weir was penalised for a challenge on Ronaldinho, the buck-toothed Brazilian fancied his chances from 25 yards out on the set-piece. He was wayward, though, shooting wildly over the top to jeers of almost mock derision.

Novo seemed determined to carry the fight to his fellow Spaniards and he had a 19th-minute strike deflected wide after a typically purposeful run.

But, midway through the half, Ronaldinho threatened again. This time, Hutton felled him on an angle 25 yards out and his effort whistled goalwards, with Allan McGregor tipping on to the bar, like he did to keep out Jiri Jarosik in the same goalmouth on Saturday. Barca were wrongly denied the corner, however, by the Austrian officials.

The pressure intensified towards the end of the first half. Thomson pulled back Henry and, in the process, found himself suspended for the visit to the Nou Camp on November 7. His frustration was obvious but the Rangers blue wall stood firm for another free-kick from Ronaldinho.

Henry was flitting in off the left flank , while Sasa Papac had handled Messi pretty well. He could hardly be blamed when right-back Puyol joined an attack and forced a save from McGregor with a soaring far-post header.

From the corner, Barcelona threatened again as Ronaldinho lashed in a shot which Hutton blocked with his arms. Referee Plautz, who denied Celtic a penalty in the San Siro last season for a handball by Paolo Maldini, looked away as the Catalans scented a spot kick. As the tension mounted, Ferguson was penalised for a foul on Ronaldinho, the superstar claiming he had been elbowed.

Adam, though, soon hit Brazil's best with another fine tackle — they breed ' em tough here, you know. The traffic flow didn't change much on the restart. Lee McCulloch denied Gudjohnsen, then Messi seemed to go to ground very easily to win a foul and a yellow card for Papac. But Rangers again defended the set-piece with stoic resolution. And so it went on.

Lone striker Cousin, who put in a power of work all night, caught Puyol in possession as the Barca skipper erred for once but the ball bounced through to Victor Valdes.

McGregor then saved low to his right from a Gudjohnsen shot, with Rangers dangerously encamped in a trench on their own 18-yard line for a moment.

They dug themselves out, however, and contrived to make a genuine ' half chance' after 66 minutes. Adam fed Hutton but the full- back ' s driven cross was defended well by Puyol.

The home side had to face two more lucky escapes. First, Cuellar diced with an own goal, then Henry missed a great chance — heading wide when a 44th Champions League goal seemed certain.

With DaMarcus Beasley replacing Novo, Rangers went hunting once more. McCulloch was off target with a decent shot as the clock ticked on, while Hutton somehow summoned the energy to force a corner as Rangers sought to crown their display with a winner.

It wasn't forthcoming, though, despite Cousin blasting wide as the home support sensed another glory night. The loud shrill of the final whistle had long sounded before Barcelona disconsolately put the ball in McGregor's net. By then, nobody cared.