Rangers boss Walter Smith admitted his side failed to cope the pressures of the Champions League after they crashed out of Europe with a 2-0 home defeat to Stuttgart.

Smith’s side needed to win in order to retain a chance of taking third spot in Group G and a place in the Europa League.

But Sebastian Rudy and Zdravko Kuzmanovic struck for Markus Babbel’s side to end Rangers travels for another year.

“We've not been good enough when the expectation level has been for us to go and win a game," said Smith.

“We haven't been good enough and we have to take that on board.

“There are no excuses from us. The home matches have all ended up in a similar fashion regardless of the systems we have played.

“We've looked far more comfortable away from home than we have at home. Away from home, maybe the expectation is not as great in terms of having to go forward and win the game.

“Even our possession away from home has been better and that's been a disappointment for us.”