In season 1996–97 Rangers went on to win their ninth championship in a row, thereby equalling Celtic's achievement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. In the cup competitions, they were knocked out of the Scottish Cup at the quarter-finals stage, losing 2–0 to Celtic. However, the team won the League Cup, defeating Heart of Midlothian 4–3. In Europe, although the team qualified for the UEFA Champions League after a 10–3 aggregate win over Russian champions Alania Vladikavkaz, they only recorded three points from their six group matches.