Uefa Champions League Second qualifying round, first leg: Rangers 2, Zeta 0:Rangers will be hopeful of progressing to the third qualifying round of the Champions League next week after thrashing out a win at Ibrox last night.

The home side's performance was far from convincing but goals from David Weir and Lee McCulloch secured a crucial victory, despite Alan Hutton's red card midway through the second half.

The draw for the third round qualifier - which also includes Celtic - takes place on Friday and the pressure is on Rangers to ensure they make it that far in the competition.

There were no away fans at Ibrox to witness this first leg and the Zeta players found themselves under siege early on.

Rangers should have been ahead with just seven seconds on the clock. Barry Ferguson's pass from the kick-off found McCulloch, who released Kris Boyd through the middle into the box.

The striker raced past two Zeta defenders before teeing up the shot to nestle in the bottom corner but could only look on in disbelief when his left-footed effort cracked off the outside of the post.

Boyd then attempted to help a 25-yard Charlie Adam strike into the back of the net but guided the effort a couple of yards wide.

A less-than-inspiring display from Adam in the opening 45 minutes cost him his place for the second half. He was replaced by Nacho Novo at the break, the Spaniard slotting into the right of midfield and McCulloch shifting to the left.

The breakthrough came in fortunate circumstances for Rangers with 54 minutes gone. A Zeta clearance fell to the feet of Weir 25 yards out, who lobbed the ball back into the box.

Rangers found the back of the net again after 72 minutes.

Ferguson's free-kick was met by the head of McCulloch at the back post.

RANGERS:McGregor, Hutton, Weir, Cuellar, Papac, McCulloch, Ferguson, Hemdani, Adam (Novo 45), Boyd (Broadfoot 63), Darcheville (Sebo 83). Subs not used: Carroll, Webster, Thomson, Beasley. Sent off: Hutton (60). Booked: McCulloch, Hutton, Novo, Cuellar, Hemdani. Goals: Weir 55, McCulloch 73.

ZETA:Sasa Ivanovic, Igumanovic, Miroslav Kaludjerovic, Vuckovic, Radulovic (Djurovic 78), Tumbasovic, Cetkovic (Boljevic 84), Markovic, Bojan Ivanovic, Korac, Stjepanovic. Subs not used: Mustur, Vladen Pelicic, Zarija Pelicic, Culafic, Marinkovic. Booked: Vuckovic, Tumbasovic, Radulovic.

Referee: Georgios Kasnaferis (Greece).