Nacho Novo made up for missing a hatful of chances in the first leg to score a late goal in Rangers' 1-1 draw at Panathinaikos to secure a place in the UEFA Cup last 16 on Thursday.

The Spaniard pounced on a loose ball nine minutes from full-time in the second-leg clash to score past goalkeeper Mario Galinovic and give the Scots a place in the next round on the away goals rule.

Ioannis Goumas had given Panathinaikos a 12th-minute lead with a fierce 25-yard drive.

Rangers boss Walter Smith was full of praise for Novo. "He deserved the goal for all the effort he put in," said Smith. "I know he was disappointed after the first leg but he showed great composure with his finish tonight. He is always there to get a goal and he showed that again tonight.

"He has scored some very important goals this season," Smith added, before pointing out he was disappointed with his team's performance in the first half.

"We made it difficult for ourselves," said Smith. "Panathinaikos were perhaps the better side early on and we were disappointed with the goal we conceded. They opened up a bit in the second half and we managed to get level at a good time."