Rangers moved clear into second place in Europa League Group C with what turned out to be a nervy however deserved 2-1 win over Sparta Prague at Ibrox.
The 2 sides fought out a goalless draw within the Czech Republic final month however it took solely 11 minutes for Brazilian striker Danilo to get the breakthrough earlier than midfielder Todd Cantwell added a second within the twentieth minute.
The guests smartened up after the break nonetheless, with substitute Lukas Haraslin lowering the deficit within the 77th minute, and though Danilo quickly had the ball within the web for the second time it was dominated out after VAR moved decisively to chalk the strike off for a foul on defender Asger Sorensen.
Todd Cantwell doubled Rangers’ lead over Sparta Prague
Philippe Clement has now gone six video games unbeaten since taking up as Gers boss and incremental enchancment is obvious, regardless of having to carry agency in direction of an anxious end.
Group C leaders Actual Betis have 9 factors, Rangers are two behind, whereas Sparta Prague have 4 and Aris Limassol simply three.
Rangers host the bottom-placed Cypriot facet later this month, earlier than concluding their marketing campaign in December with a visit to Spain to face Actual Betis – the place there can be loads at stake.
Clement mentioned: “Should you see the energy of the opponent, that is the most effective group we’ve got performed in opposition to till now, as we did in Prague (0-0). The primary half was actually good, I wish to see that soccer for 90 minutes, that’s the aim.
“We couldn’t try this from the state of affairs we had been in just a few weeks in the past, we’d like extra time for that, to get everybody on the prime bodily degree to do the distances, depth and excessive speeds with and with out the ball.”
How the Gers stored knockout hopes alive
Danilo opened the scoring in spectacular fashion throughout a dominant first half
The house facet had been buoyed by their commanding 3-1 Viaplay Cup semi-final win over Hearts on Sunday and Clement made one change with centre-back Ben Davies in for Leon Balogun, who, together with left-back Ridvan Yilmaz, was not included within the European squad by former boss Michael Beale.
Rangers’ first likelihood got here within the fifth minute when a cut-back from Cantwell simply missed the sliding Danilo, carrying a masks once more to guard a cheekbone harm.
Nonetheless, the Gers striker quickly took benefit of a horror mistake by the guests, intercepting a lazy back-pass from defender James Gomez earlier than racing by way of to slide the ball previous keeper Peter Vindahl – his third aim in 4 video games.
The Czech facet had been rattled and Vindahl quickly needed to make a save from a spectacular Cantwell effort.
On the different finish, Rangers keeper Jack Butland tipped a header from Gomez over the bar for an additional nook which got here to nothing, earlier than the hosts stretched the lead.
Danilo turned solely the third South American to attain a aim for Rangers in main European competitors
Danilo took possession deep within the guests’ half, moved the ball onto the right-hand facet for Cantwell, who turned again inside Gomez earlier than bending his first aim of the season into the far nook.
Vindahl made saves from McCausland and midfielder Ryan Jack as Rangers tried to claim themselves additional within the second interval, having did not match their first-half exhibiting, however discovered themselves beneath actual stress when Haraslin performed a one-two with Angelo Preciado and swept the ball into the web from 10 yards.
Danilo appeared like he had instantly restored Rangers’ two-goal lead however Italian referee David Massa promptly checked his pitchside monitor and determined that the Gers attacker had tripped Sorensen to get his likelihood.
Clement: Qualification just isn’t secured
Clement warned his gamers that Europa League knockout soccer just isn’t but assured.
Rangers host Aris Limassol later within the month and may affirm qualification with a victory earlier than concluding their marketing campaign subsequent month with a visit to Spain to face Actual Betis.
Nonetheless, Clement mentioned: “If there may be one factor I do not need is that the gamers now suppose that we’re certified.
“We made a very vital step ahead that’s true however we do not have something in our heads for the second.
“We have to get our factors in opposition to Aris or in opposition to Betis, we nonetheless have two video games to go.
“It’s focus and focus to attempt to get three factors out of each sport and we all know that soccer is a sport that you do not all the time get what you deserve. There might be circumstances that may go in opposition to you so we’ve got to be on the prime degree each time.”
Opta: Gers utilizing Ibrox benefit
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Rangers have received their first two residence matches in a significant European marketing campaign for the primary time because the 2019-20 season.
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Rangers took a two-goal lead within the opening 20 minutes of a match for less than the second time of their final 118 main European matches – the opposite time was in opposition to Crvena Zvezda in March 2022.
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Danilo scored his fourth UEFA Europa League aim (one for Ajax, two for Feyenoord and one for Rangers).
What’s subsequent?
Sunday twelfth November 11:00am
Kick off 12:00pm
Rangers’ closing fixture earlier than the worldwide break comes on Sunday as they face Livingston within the Scottish Premiership, stay on Sky Sports activities; kick-off 12pm. Their subsequent Europa League fixture is on Thursday November 30 at residence to Aris Limassol.
Sparta Prague face Banik within the Czech First League on Sunday; kick-off 2pm. Their subsequent Europa League fixture is on Thursday November 30 in opposition to Actual Betis.
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