ONE is the richest club in the world, the other hasn't been able to afford a signing for a year.
But you couldn't have slipped a fiver between the billionaires of Manchester City and skint Rangers.
Not until David Weir - the stop-gap free transfer who's become a Gers great - picked City's pockets with an amazing last-gasp clincher.
The visitors, backed by oil-rich Arabs, had £140million worth of talent in their starting line-up - and much more on a star-studded bench.
But after being torn apart by awesome Arsenal, this result proved Rangers CAN live with England's elite on their day.
They'll bank the confidence gained from this performance just as readily as they'll bank the gate receipts.
Novo put them ahead after 20 minutes before Stephen Ireland and sub Martin Petrov replied with strikes either side of the break.
But Kenny Miller deservedly levelled for Gers and skipper Weir, 39, smashed home deep into injury time - just a day after being axed by Scotland.
Walter Smith's men now put the finishing touches to their preparations at Portsmouth on Saturday. City entertain Celtic at Eastlands as their expensive new boys again try to gel.
After that 3-0 humbling by Arsenal at the weekend, Gers might have feared the worst looking at their rivals' line-up.
Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure, the pair bought for £40m from the Gunners, started. Robinho and Gareth Barry were also among SIX eight-figure signings in Mark Hughes' side.
Samba star Robinho had an early shot cleared off the line by Madjid Bougherra before blazing wide of Neil Alexander's far post.
Alexander and Stevie Naismith both landed starts just 24 hours after Scotland call-ups. And they celebrated an unlikely opener after the Premiership stars bossed the early stages.
Novo had blazed across the face of Shay Given's goal after a break by Steven Davis.
But he made amends just moments later as he fired high past the one-time Celtic youth keeper.
Lee McCulloch knocked the ball into the danger zone from the right and Sasa Papac hit it into Novo's path.
The little Spanish hitman had time for a touch before lashing a shot into the roof of the net.
Novo was wide on the right of the new-look 4-3-3 system with Naismith on the left and Miller the central striker.
McCulloch anchored the midfield behind Davis and Pedro Mendes with the defence again unchanged.
John Fleck was on the bench after paying the price for his clash with the management.
Gers never looked out of their depth and Miller had a shot blocked after a stunning surge by Novo.
However, they were caught napping after 27 minutes as Ireland levelled with a low shot across Alexander.
Adebayor created the space for the midfielder and his right-foot shot flew inches inside the far post. Just before half-time Papac made a last-gasp tackle to deny dangerman Adebayor.
Richard Dunne hauled down Naismith at the other end but Mendes's free kick struck the wall.
City's strength was highlighted by the introduction of big-money subs Petrov and Pablo Zabaleta at the break.
But Gers started the second period on the attack with Wayne Bridge denying Steven Whittaker and Novo smacking a shot wide.
Miller then missed a golden chance to regain the lead after 49 minutes when he scooped a close-range shot over Given's bar. Bougherra had freed Novo on the right but Miller couldn't control his shot from the cross.
Then Gers had loud penalty claims rejected by ref Craig Thomson when England left back Bridge seemed to trip Miller in the box.
Just ten days before the title defence starts against Falkirk, Smith's men buzzed the ball about with style.
But as in The Emirates Cup defeat, they were undone by true international class when City seized a lead their play didn't merit.
Bulgarian winger Petrov scorched away from Whittaker and lashed an angled drive beyond the despairing dive of Alexander after 54 minutes.
Gers' response was instant as Davis forced a wonderful diving save from Given.
And the Northern Ireland cap laid on a quickfire leveller for Miller seconds later.
Davis' pass split the defence and, as Given sped off his line, the Scotland striker calmly lobbed him from the edge of the box.
Kris Boyd and Kyle Lafferty replaced Miller and Novo just short of the hour mark.
Fleck gained forgiveness with a late run alongside Andrius Velicka and Aaron Niguez as Mendes, Naismith and McCulloch came off.
Former Celtic hitman Craig Bellamy took over from £25m Adebayor - and got a fearful ear-bashing from Ibrox fans.
But the noise levels soared even higher when Weir netted after a goalmouth scramble.
But you couldn't have slipped a fiver between the billionaires of Manchester City and skint Rangers.
Not until David Weir - the stop-gap free transfer who's become a Gers great - picked City's pockets with an amazing last-gasp clincher.
The visitors, backed by oil-rich Arabs, had £140million worth of talent in their starting line-up - and much more on a star-studded bench.
But after being torn apart by awesome Arsenal, this result proved Rangers CAN live with England's elite on their day.
They'll bank the confidence gained from this performance just as readily as they'll bank the gate receipts.
Novo put them ahead after 20 minutes before Stephen Ireland and sub Martin Petrov replied with strikes either side of the break.
But Kenny Miller deservedly levelled for Gers and skipper Weir, 39, smashed home deep into injury time - just a day after being axed by Scotland.
Walter Smith's men now put the finishing touches to their preparations at Portsmouth on Saturday. City entertain Celtic at Eastlands as their expensive new boys again try to gel.
After that 3-0 humbling by Arsenal at the weekend, Gers might have feared the worst looking at their rivals' line-up.
Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure, the pair bought for £40m from the Gunners, started. Robinho and Gareth Barry were also among SIX eight-figure signings in Mark Hughes' side.
Samba star Robinho had an early shot cleared off the line by Madjid Bougherra before blazing wide of Neil Alexander's far post.
Alexander and Stevie Naismith both landed starts just 24 hours after Scotland call-ups. And they celebrated an unlikely opener after the Premiership stars bossed the early stages.
Novo had blazed across the face of Shay Given's goal after a break by Steven Davis.
But he made amends just moments later as he fired high past the one-time Celtic youth keeper.
Lee McCulloch knocked the ball into the danger zone from the right and Sasa Papac hit it into Novo's path.
The little Spanish hitman had time for a touch before lashing a shot into the roof of the net.
Novo was wide on the right of the new-look 4-3-3 system with Naismith on the left and Miller the central striker.
McCulloch anchored the midfield behind Davis and Pedro Mendes with the defence again unchanged.
John Fleck was on the bench after paying the price for his clash with the management.
Gers never looked out of their depth and Miller had a shot blocked after a stunning surge by Novo.
However, they were caught napping after 27 minutes as Ireland levelled with a low shot across Alexander.
Adebayor created the space for the midfielder and his right-foot shot flew inches inside the far post. Just before half-time Papac made a last-gasp tackle to deny dangerman Adebayor.
Richard Dunne hauled down Naismith at the other end but Mendes's free kick struck the wall.
City's strength was highlighted by the introduction of big-money subs Petrov and Pablo Zabaleta at the break.
But Gers started the second period on the attack with Wayne Bridge denying Steven Whittaker and Novo smacking a shot wide.
Miller then missed a golden chance to regain the lead after 49 minutes when he scooped a close-range shot over Given's bar. Bougherra had freed Novo on the right but Miller couldn't control his shot from the cross.
Then Gers had loud penalty claims rejected by ref Craig Thomson when England left back Bridge seemed to trip Miller in the box.
Just ten days before the title defence starts against Falkirk, Smith's men buzzed the ball about with style.
But as in The Emirates Cup defeat, they were undone by true international class when City seized a lead their play didn't merit.
Bulgarian winger Petrov scorched away from Whittaker and lashed an angled drive beyond the despairing dive of Alexander after 54 minutes.
Gers' response was instant as Davis forced a wonderful diving save from Given.
And the Northern Ireland cap laid on a quickfire leveller for Miller seconds later.
Davis' pass split the defence and, as Given sped off his line, the Scotland striker calmly lobbed him from the edge of the box.
Kris Boyd and Kyle Lafferty replaced Miller and Novo just short of the hour mark.
Fleck gained forgiveness with a late run alongside Andrius Velicka and Aaron Niguez as Mendes, Naismith and McCulloch came off.
Former Celtic hitman Craig Bellamy took over from £25m Adebayor - and got a fearful ear-bashing from Ibrox fans.
But the noise levels soared even higher when Weir netted after a goalmouth scramble.
