From start to finish of this final Group G clash Manolo Jimenez’s men showed flashes of the quality that has made them one of Europe’s top sides and title contenders in La Liga.
The Rangers players worked tirelessly throughout the 90 minutes but, in truth, they rarely tested Andres Palop in Sevilla’s goal while Allan McGregor could not relax for a second.
But despite the relentless pressure only one goal separated the teams this evening and it came from on eight minutes with Frederic Kanoute scoring with a superbly executed penalty.
This was enough to give the home side all three points and it completed an ultimately disappointing Champions League campaign for Walter Smith’s men who finished bottom of Group G.
Prior to kick-off the big team news was that Kris Boyd failed a late fitness test meaning Kenny Miller started up front on his own.
The Gers’ no. 9 came off during the second half of Saturday’s 3-1 win over Falkirk with a thigh strain.
And despite travelling with the squad yesterday, he wasn’t risked with a massive month of games coming up.
Gers lined up in a 4-5-1 formation, with Steven Smith and DaMarcus Beasley both handed rare starts.
Beasley made it into the first XI for just the second time this season after impressing as a substitute against the Bairns four days ago.
Smith also made his first appearance since the 3-1 League Cup win over Dundee on October 27.
Lee McCulloch was asked to play as a defensive midfielder, offering protection to the rearguard, and he had Kevin Thomson and Steven Davis either side of him.
And it was business as usual at the back, with Steven Whittaker, Madjid Bougherra, David Weir and Sasa Papac all in front McGregor.
Prior to kick-off the big screens flashed up images of Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz taking their executive seats in the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
The Hollywood superstars are currently in Sevilla to film scenes for their next blockbuster and were guests of the club for tonight’s showdown.
Sevilla, as expected, started the match in a positive manner in front of their vociferous home support and it was a miracle that Rangers weren’t behind in the opening five minutes.
With only 120 seconds on the clock Ndri Romaric played a long ball over Madjid Bougherra and Kanoute’s control was instant.
With McGregor rushing from his goal the former Spurs man prodded the ball past the keeper but Sasa Papac somehow diverted the ball past the post before it rolled over the line.
From the resulting corner an inswinging cross caused mayhem and when the ball dropped in the 18-yard box a snap shot from Diego Capel looked to hit the hand of Steven Davis.
The goal was coming and it was a gift for Manolo Jimenez’s men.
Steven Whittaker’s touch in the 18-yard box was poor and when Fernando Navarro nipped in he hauled the nippy midfielder down.
French ref Bertrand Layec rightly pointed to the spot and Kanoute showed his class by disguising his spot kick and sending McGregor the wrong way.
After a horrendous start Rangers settled in to the match but the threat from Sevilla’s silky stars was evident in every attack with McGregor having to be sharp to stop several long range efforts.
And it was clear that Sevilla’s tactics were to get the ball to Capel as much as possible on the left wing and let the Spanish star torment Whittaker as much as possible.
At the other end the Light Blues failed to trouble Palop in the first-half but as the 45 minutes progressed they grew in confidence with McCulloch, Davis and Thomson seeing more of the ball in the middle of the pitch.
Despite being a goal down at the break Walter Smith’s team talk would have been positive with his side still in with a fighting chance of getting back in to this tie.
And the gaffer showed his intent by putting on fresh legs with Nacho Novo replacing DaMarcus Beasley and Kyle Lafferty getting a run-out in place of Kenny Miller.
Having not had a shot on target in the first-half – Stuttgart had 13 – it was clear that Rangers needed a bit more quality in the last third and Steven Davis could clearly be seen edging forward to support Lafferty at every given opportunity.
With the hour mark looming the home support were starting to show signs of frustration with their side struggling to break down the Gers’ defence despite controlling this contest for long spells.
Jesus Navas, however, did his best to double his side’s advantage on 66 minutes when he found space 20 yards from goal and low drive skimmed the side netting at McGregor’s near post.
And with 15 minutes left the lively Capel brought out a great save from the Gers keeper who tipped the ball over the bar.
Sevilla were now relentless in their pursuit of a second and Didier Zakora had his head in his hands when his curling shot clattered the post.
But with the home side pushing forward Rangers had a couple of decent chances near the death.
Bougherra played the ball behind Sevilla’s napping defence and Novo beat Palop but his shot rippled the side netting.
And with only a minute left McCulloch saw a left foot rocket punched away nervously by the keeper who was suddenly under pressure for the first time in the game.
In the end the 1-0 scoreline at the final whistle was a fair reflection of the 90 minutes and few would argue that Sevilla deserved three points.
From back to front they have world class performers and when you consider they were missing five players, including £30million rated Luis Fabiano in attack, they will be a force to be reckoned with in this season’s Champions League knock-out stages.