Rangers boss Walter Smith hailed his battling troops as they came from a goal down to grab a 1-1 draw at Stuttgart – but insists they could have won.

Madjid Bougherra’s stunning strike earned the Gers a priceless Champions League point at the Mercedes Benz Arena.

Pavel Pogrebniak fired the Germans – managed by former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel – in front before a stirring second-half comeback saw Smith’s team return to Scotland with a point.

“I felt we started rather slowly and Stuttgart were the better side in the early part of the game,” said Smith.

“I felt closer to half-time we started to come into the game and then in the second half I thought we were excellent.

“In the end I think maybe we were a little bit unfortunate not to just shade the game after what was an excellent second-half performance.”