Bursaspor's Sercan savours taste of the top

Bursaspor saved their best for last as the Turkish champions picked up their first UEFA Champions League point in the 1-1 home draw with Rangers FC.

While it was not enough to climb off the bottom of Group C, Bursaspor goalscorer Sercan Yıldırım was still able to take plenty of positives from the experience after a lively performance at the Bursa Atatürk Stadium.

"To be named man of the match is a great honour, especially as I'm just 20 years old and the Champions League is such a massive competition," the forward said. "I have had a taste and would love to have more. We have learned a lot during this campaign and I hope Bursaspor can take part in the competition again in the near future and improve by doing so."

Sercan struck with 11 minutes left to cancel out Kenny Miller's first-half opener – and even missed a late chance to win it – but a draw was a fair reflection of the Matchday 6 encounter. "It's good to see my name on the scoresheet, I just wish it had been a winning goal," Rangers marksman Miller said. "We could have scored more, if only the final pass had been better."

Strike partner Steven Naismith added: "Maybe Bursaspor were naive in some of their previous games, but they're a good team with quality players and I'm sure we'll see them again in the Champions League." 
Rangers finished third in the group to claim the UEFA Europa League place, yet skipper David Weir hoped it would not be long before the Scottish outfit returned to the UEFA Champion League.

"I feel a bit sad because I think we gave it away tonight, and in the end this a farewell for Rangers to this year's Champions League," the 40-year-old defender said. "But I hope to be back next year. This is a competition every player wants to be part of."

Bursaspor coach Ertuğrul Sağlam and Rangers counterpart Walter Smith both used the match to give younger players a slice of the action, and home goalkeeper Yavuz Özkan was grateful for the opportunity. "I wasn't put to the test that much, but in the end I was really proud to be in a team that wrote history for Bursaspor," he said.