From Lindsay Herron in Belgrade

IT was sweaty and it wasn't pretty but Rangers realised their dream of reaching the Champions League group phase with a terrific defensive display in the intimidating atmosphere of the Serbian capital.

They fought like tigers all over the field, stifling Red Star at every turn and in the end they deserve to be there.

The Serbs were not a good side and Rangers were able to reach their £10million jackpot without producing their best form.

But it was a fantastic moment none the less as the players celebrated in Belgrade on reaching the group phase.

The noise in the "Marakana" Stadium was deafening as Rangers emerged from the tunnel into a cauldron of red and white.

The group of 1000 Rangers were packed into a secure area on the right corner of the ground, guarded by two layers of armed riot police on either side and in front.

Hostile barely begins to describe the atmosphere on a massive European night but Rangers largely managed to cope despite a really early scare.

Much has been made of the excellent start Carlos Cuellar has made to his Rangers career but a slip after just one minute also gifted Red Star a scoring opportunity.

The Spaniard made a mess of an attempted header back to Allan McGregor and Igor Burzanovic could not believe his luck.

The dangerous frontman, who missed the first leg, had a clear sight of goal but McGregor made a great blocking save and then Cuellar recovered to concede a corner.

It was a major let-off but Rangers recovered from that early scare and settled into the game even if they found it difficult to retain possession, mainly firing the ball forward for lone striker Darcheville.

Gradually they began to find some rhythm and caused Red Star some problems midway through the first half.

Lee McCulloch won a free kick when he was fouled by skipper Dusan Basta on the left of the box. Barry Ferguson went for a direct shot and it was deflected by the wall for a corner.

That was in 24 minutes and three minutes later Ferguson linked well with Darcheville down the right side to almost create an opening.

The former Bordeaux men got away from Ibrahima Gueye and played a near post ball for the on-rushing Ferguson but the angle was too right and he shot wide.

That was encouraging for Rangers but it was Red Star who created the better chances towards the end of the half and fortunately for Rangers McGregor was in top form.

Burzanovic gave the Serbs a new dimension up front and when he cut inside on the right side in 32 minutes McGregor had to make a smart save before Davie Weir cleared the danger.

Then in 43 minutes the Rangers keeper made an even better stop when he pushed Burzanovic's right foot shot from the left corner of the box wide for a corner.

Walter Smith knew that one chance could virtually kill the tie and he thought it had come in 56 minutes.

Ferguson played in Darcheville in the left channel and suddenly the striker was clear of his marker but as the Rangers bench rose in anticipation he pulled his shot wide of the right hand post.

There was more encouragement in 63 minutes when the Red Star defence were caught out again and this time they had their keeper Ivan Randelovic to thank.

Sasa Papac played a good ball down the left for McCulloch who cleverly cut inside onto his right foot and drilled a low shot which the Red Star keeper pushed past the post for a corner.

Red Star were still alive and they went on to have a dangerous spell, hemming Rangers in but they never really created any chances as the Light Blue defence held firm.

All they could offer was a long range effort from Ognjen Koroman which McGregor pushed over the bar.

Smith made a switch in 70 minutes when he replaced Darcheville with Daniel Cousin in a like for like change and then he brought on the fresh legs of DaMarcus Beasley for Steven Whittaker in 79 minutes.

He knew Rangers were nearly there but it was a nervy finish as Red Star kept searching for the goal that would level the tie.

There were four minutes of added time to prolong the occasion but Rangers finally made it and can now look forward to six fantastic matches following Thursday's draw in Monaco.