Rangers edge out Sparta to bolster Europa hopes

Todd Cantwell's goal proved to be the winner for Rangers

Rangers strengthened their hopes of progressing to the Europa League knockout stages as they survived a nervy finish to beat Sparta Prague at Ibrox.

Rangers missed several chances to kill the game off, but held on for a crucial three points despite a late rally by the Czech side.

Philippe Clement's side now sit second in Group C, two points behind Real Betis and three clear of Sparta.

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Rangers started the game on the front foot and should have led inside six minutes, but Cantwell's cross-shot evaded Danilo with Sparta's defence breached.

However, Clement's side kept their foot to the floor and didn't have to wait much longer to hit the front. A horrible error from James Gomez put Danilo clean through on Peter Vindahl's goal, and the Brazilian slid a calm finish into the corner.

With Ibrox at its raucous best, Rangers poured forward again and again, and doubled their lead in clinical fashion. Danilo fed Cantwell, who cut inside before rolling a clinical finish past Vindahl's despairing dive.

Sparta were powerless to resist the hosts, and it was only the frame of the goal that denied Danilo his second of the night before the break.

There was a drop-off in the second half, despite an impressive performance from young substitute Ross McCausland, and Sparta got themselves on the scoreboard when Haraslin finished off a slick team move.

Rangers wasted several chances on the break, and were forced to endure a nervy finish to the game as an increasingly confident Sparta pushed for an equaliser that ultimately wouldn't come.

Player of the match - Danilo

A goal and an assist. Rangers' big money summer signing was a constant threat up top and could have scored more on another day.

Clement's Rangers continue to impress - analysis

Clement has spoken at length about wanting his players to play with freedom, and not be afraid to make mistakes, and the Belgian has clearly restored the confidence that was distinctly lacking under Michael Beale.

Nothing illustrated that more than an audacious bicycle-kick effort from Cantwell in the first half that forced Vindahl into a smart save.

There was pace, purpose, and a cutting edge to Rangers in forward areas during that first half - a throwback to the European nights that have lit up Ibrox in years gone by, and a stark contrast to the pedestrian play that characterised their slow start to the season.

The second 45 was far from perfect, but there is something to be said for coming through periods of pressure as they did, and Jack Butland once again produced big saves when called upon.

It's now five wins and one draw from Clement's six games in charge, and if Rangers' upward trajectory continues, a season that promised precious little could yet be a real success.

Match stats

• Rangers have won their first two home matches in a major European campaign for the first time since the 2019-20 season, when they were competing in the UEFA Europa League.
• Sparta Prague have lost all three of their away major European matches against Rangers, losing 2-1 in 1991 (European Cup), 2-0 in 2021 (UEFA Europa League) and 2-1 tonight.
• Rangers took a two-goal lead in the opening 20 minutes of a match for only the second time in their last 118 major European matches - the other time was against Crvena Zvezda in March 2022 (2-0 after 15 minutes).
• Danilo scored his fourth UEFA Europa League goal (one for Ajax, two for Feyenoord and one for Rangers), while all four of his goals have come in home matches.
• Sparta Prague have now conceded at least two goals in nine of their last 11 away matches in major European competition, including each of their last five - their longest such run since between November 1995 and November 1997 (six in a row).
• Danilo became only the third South American to score a goal for Rangers in major European competition, after Emerson (Brazil, one goal in 2003) and Alfredo Morelos (Colombia, 15 goals from 2018-2022).

What's next?

Rangers go to Livingston in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday (12:00), with their next European engagement a home game with Aris on 30 November (20:00).