Rangers’ brave bid to win their first European trophy in 36 years ended in heartbreak as second half goals from Igor Denisov and Konstantin Zyrianov won the Uefa Cup for Zenit St Petersburg.

The Russians – who have been one of the most entertaining teams in this season’s tournament – were good value for their victory, though Walter Smith’s side, as expected, expended every ounce of energy in search of glory. Ultimately, though, a quadruple of Scottish League, Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup was just too much to ask.

Denisov made the breakthrough 18 minutes from time, producing a nerveless finish after a defence-splitting pass from Andriy Arshavin, the game's outstanding player.

Arshavin also had a hand in the second in injury time, which was finished from close range by Zyrianov.

Walter Smith, the Rangers manager, hailed his side's "terrific" UEFA Cup campaign after they came up short in Manchester.

"Over the tournament we've worked very hard to get to the final - there was not that much in it overall and we had a few chances ourselves," he said.

"Zenit looked the more offensive team but obviously at this stage I'm disappointed to have lost. We've had a terrific tournament - it doesn't take away the disappointment but in the end I can have no complaints. You don't get the opportunity very often to get to European finals and when you do it's very disappointing to lose."

David Weir, the Rangers captain challenged his team to bounce back from their heartbreak and claim a Clydesdale Bank Premier League victory at Motherwell on Saturday that would take them a step closer to what can only now be a treble.

"We've come a long way and won a lot of games that maybe we shouldn't have, but it's just big disappointment," he said.

"They are a very good side so big credit to them. They beat Bayern Munich in the semis and Bayer Leverkusen, but we want to be up there picking up the trophy."

Looking ahead to the Motherwell match, he said: "That's what we're focused on now. We'll find out what we're all about on Saturday morning."

Zenit showed just why they had put out the likes of Bayern Munich and Marseilles earlier in the tournament as they took the game to Rangers in the City of Manchester Stadium, awash with the blue scarves of Scottish fans.