Werder, bidding to become the third German side into the last eight after Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen qualified on Wednesday, could only win 1-0 at the Weserstadion and went out 2-1 on aggregate.

Sporting, beaten finalists in 2005, edged a weakened Bolton side 1-0 at home to secure the tie 2-1.

Bundesliga title challengers Werder forced 18 corners against Rangers, peppered their opponents's goal from all angles but found visiting keeper Allan McGregor in inspired form.

He pulled off a string of fine saves in both halves to keep the German side at bay.

He was finally beaten just before the hour when Brazilian Diego struck with a sweet left-footed shot on the half volley.

But with the clock ticking down McGregor saved his best to last, getting the faintest of touches to push Boubacar Sanogo's close-range shot up onto the crossbar when the Ivorian seemed destined to send the game into extra time.

'It's massive for the club. We dug in and got the result when we needed it,' McGregor told BBC Scotland.

'Werder Bremen must have been one of the (competition) favourites. We have put them out... now we have to take it one game at a time.'

Defeat capped a miserable few days for Werder, who were thumped 6-3 by VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

Bolton manager Gary Megson made his side's priority this season quite clear by leaving a host of regulars at home to rest before they resume their Premier League relegation battle this weekend.

Sporting, in poor form themselves having slipped to fifth place in their championship - 20 points behind leaders Porto - won a low-key clash when Bruno Pereirinha struck five minutes from time.

The draw for the quarter-finals and semi-finals takes place on Friday. The final is in Manchester on May 14. -- REUTERS