Stuttgart coach Markus Babbel breathed a huge sigh of relief in Glasgow last night as his side lifted some of the pressure from his shoulders and preserved their chances of reaching the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League.

A 2-0 win over Rangers means Stuttgart can qualify for the last 16 with a win over Unirea Urziceni in a fortnight and that was the main aim for Babbel's side. "We now have what will be a final in Stuttgart and that is what we wanted," he said.

From the No1 to the No11 and all of the players who came on, everybody played really well.
Stuttgart coach Markus Babbel

"I am delighted that my lads have finally been rewarded. From the No1 to the No11 and all of the players who came on, everybody played really well. I told my players that we cannot have any doubts, and I even had to ask myself if I had any doubts, but no, I know that I never doubt anything."

While last night's victory gives Stuttgart hope of spending the winter in Europe's top club competition, their Bundesliga form is in need of a similar success story. Stuttgart have not triumphed in the league since 26 September and director of sport Horst Heldt has called on the team to keep their concentration for Saturday's trip to leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

"We played well and deserved to win and that has preserved our chances of reaching the knockout stage, but this is the Champions League," he said. "I would have preferred to have a few more points in the Bundesliga."