Greek tragedy for Gers

Burns: Bagged the winner

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Rangers' involvement in the Sydney Festival of Football ended on a downer as they lost 1-0 to AEK Athens.

Despite turning in a decent performance in a scrappy encounter, the reigning SPL champions succumbed to a 72nd minute effort from Nathan Burns.

Walter Smith's side can take plenty of positives from their trip Down Under, having beaten Blackburn and drawn with Sydney, but will be disappointed to have missed the opportunity to head home as Festival winners.

However, of greater concern to Smith at the moment will be a knock picked up by striker Kyle Lafferty, who limped off during the first half with a groin injury - the same complaint which forced defender Andy Webster to miss the match.

Smith made two changes for the Ger's final game on Australian soil, bringing in No.1 keeper Allan McGregor for Neil Alexander while Madjid Bougherra replaced Webster.

Tested

On a heavy pitch, it was the Greek side who came close in the 11th minute when Nikos Lyberopoulos curled a free-kick just past the post from 25 yards, before he tested McGregor with a shot from distance.

In the 27th minute John Fleck replaced Lafferty who headed straight up the tunnel appearing to hold his groin.

Moments later Rangers defender Steven Whittaker crossed for striker Kenny Miller who was inches away from connecting six yards out.

Then Lee McCulloch took a pass from Maurice Edu and had a go from distance only to see AEK keeper Sebastian Saja make a good save, repeating it seconds later from a McCulloch header.

Rangers grew stronger and in the 42nd minute Bougherra headed just wide with the goal gaping and a minute later, following some intense pressure, the Algerian international blasted over from close range when he should have opened the scoring.

Ignored

Just on the half-time whistle Whittaker was taken down in the box by Nikolaos Karabelas, but strong penalty claims were ignored by referee Matthew Breeze.

The Ibrox side started the second half strongly and Miller steered a header wide of the target from a Steven Naismith cross.

But Rangers were made to pay for their missed chances when Karabelas crossed from the left for Australia international Burns to put the Greeks ahead.

The Scottish champions responded positively and Andy Little, on for Miller, made keeper Saja punch clear and with his first touch.

But in the 77th minute AEK should have doubled their lead when Kirk Broadfoot's hurried pass was intercepted, but McGregor spread himself to deny Rafik Djebbour.