David Leask and Gerry Braiden in Manchester
Alison Campsie and William Tinning in Glasgow

Rangers' dream of bringing European glory back to Scotland for the first time in 25 years ended in defeat and disappointment last night.

Russian side Zenit St Petersburg beat the Ibrox club 2-0 in a heart-breaking Uefa Cup final in Manchester.

It was second-half goals by Zenit's Igor Denisov and Konstantin Zyrianov, the latter in injury time, which put paid to the Glasgow side's hopes of lifting their first European title since Barcelona in 1972.

After the final whistle, Walter Smith hailed his side's European campaign. "Over the tournament we've worked very hard to get to the final - there was not that much in it overall and we had a few chances ourselves," he said.

"I'm disappointed to have lost. We've had a terrific tournament - it doesn't take away the disappointment but in the end I can have no complaints."

The disappointment of the Rangers fans as they left the City of Manchester Stadium was summed up by Stephen Bisset, from Airdrie. He said: "I am gutted but very, very, very proud. It has been a great atmosphere. The Rangers fans in the ground have behaved brilliantly. We outsang them even as they lifted their cup."

While the conduct of the 100,000 Rangers fans in the city was exemplary for most of the day, some supporters, angered when giant TV screens in two "fan zones" in the city centre failed to screen the game, clashed with riot police. There were reports of injuries and of some supporters throwing missiles.

A number of people received injuries after police baton-charged the crowd. Fans later complained of heavy-handed tactics by the police. The outbreak of trouble was all the more galling because Manchester had taken the Rangers supporters to their heart.

At Ibrox, there were cries of anguish when Zenit scored the opening goal. The second goal led to a mass exit and several fans running on to the pitch. When the final whistle blew many fans who remained in the stadium were in tears.

Among them were Willie Climie, 22, and his girlfriend Allison Twiddle, 29, from Irvine in Ayrshire. Mr Climie said: "I am gutted but proud."

His sentiments were echoed by Martin Graham, 32, from Chapelhall, Lanarkshire. He said: "I am very disappointed but I am proud as well. I will follow Rangers all the time. I will still be following them next season."

In Manchester, the Rangers fans' heads were down as they left the ground.

There were reports of trouble among the supporters with police reporting 30 arrests. One Russian fan was stabbed outside the City of Manchester stadium. He suffered non-life threatening injuries. Six men were arrested for a serious assault, according to police.

Manchester City Council promised an inquiry into the screen breakdown and its aftermath. The massive street party for the tens of thousands of ticketless fans descended into farce when it emerged that their screens were experiencing technical difficulties.

The realisation the match would not be shown in either Piccadilly Gardens or Albert Square dawned on the supporters around 10 minutes into the game sparking outbreaks of trouble. A Uefa merchandise store was abandoned and its contents handed out to the hundreds leaving Piccadilly Gardens.

Some fans cursed the Manchester authorities saying the screens should have been tested in advance.

Riot police later clashed with fans. After backing off for a while and being pelted with bottles and cans, police charged the crowd. Officers hit several of the fans with their batons, and then backed off. They charged twice more pushing the fans back.

After one clash a fan lay on the ground and appeared to be injured.

Fans filmed police with their mobile phones, while officers fended them off, hitting them with their shields and batons. Good sense prevailed and the situation calmed down with thousands of fans dispersing to try to watch the match on TVs - through the windows of pubs.

Later, however, there were reports of outbreaks of trouble at Piccadilly Station with hundreds of fans being prevented from heading for their trains home.