The agony of defeat was laced with the pride of personal achievement for Neil Alexander on Wednesday night. The Rangers goalkeeper has played a key role in sustaining his side's fight on all fronts since the loss of Allan McGregor to injury last month and produced another solid display against Zenit St Petersburg in the UEFA Cup final.

The latter's misfortune thrust the former Cardiff goalkeeper into the No.1 slot and he has performed competently as well as playing a pivotal role in penalty shoot-outs against St Johnstone and Fiorentina.

The loss to Zenit in the UEFA Cup final may have been a crushing disappointment for the goalkeeper who joined in January from Ipswich, but it was offset by his unexpected involvement in an occasion of historical significance for the club.

Asked if he would cherish his runners-up medal, he said. "Yes I will. It has been a fantastic occasion for me and the other boys. To play in a UEFA Cup final is something I never thought would happen to me.

"The medal will take pride of place in the house, though unfortunately it is a runners-up instead of a winners' medal. But there is always next year and hopefully it will be the Champions League.

"We can take a lot of positives and experience from this game. I'm disappointed for Allan McGregor. He would have loved to have played and would have deserved to do so over his form this season.

"But it's been a fantastic adventure for me, coming here and getting in the team. I've enjoyed every minute of it and still have two trophies to play for so hopefully we will come out with two more winners' medals."

Alexander had little chance with either of the Zenit goals and turned in another typically assured performance on the big stage. Rangers did as much as they were able to, but were ultimately undone by technically superior opponents.

Alexander claimed that confidence was high going into the match, despite the pedigree of the Russians. "Everything about tonight made me think maybe our name is on the trophy' but it wasn't to be and we can all be very proud of ourselves. We really did fancy our chances and it didn't turn out that way, but it was a great occasion. we're just really disappointed for the tens of thousands who have turned up that we didn't bring the trophy back.

"I thought the boys all did very well but just struggled in the final third to create that clearcut chance that was going to get us the goal We can walk away here with our heads held high. We gave it a go and maybe on the night they just shaded it a wee bit.

"It's been a fantastic European adventure for us and one that we can all be immensely proud of. We've got a massive game on Saturday now so we have to get this out of our heads and focus on the rest of the league and the Scottish Cup final."

Alexander was at the centre of one key second-half moment when he raced out of his box to clear a long ball, but was beaten to it by Andrei Arshavin, whose shot was then cleared off the line.

"I forced him out wide and maybe slowed him up a wee bit," said Alexander, with a wry smile. "We got away with it and it was disappointing.

I thought we played well, we frustrated them but we never created that one chance."

McGregor's injury has given Alexander an unexpected burst of first-team action and he is keen to continue his progress into next season.

"I was brought here to push Allan and get the best out of him. Unfortunately he has got injured. As for next season, who knows? Hopefully I've done well enough to give the manager a headache although Allan is the No.1 and I accept that. I just want to show the manager that if I'm ever called upon then I will be reliable."

Rangers have little opportunity for reflection with crucial games looming as the season reaches its climax. They face Motherwell tomorrow, St Mirren on Monday and Aberdeen on Thursday in the final league game of the season. They must win them all to guarantee wresting the title from Celtic.

"We have other things to focus on and must put this out of our minds. We are all disappointed and it is going to hurt a little but Saturday's game is massive and it is vital that we take three points."