Rangers 2-1 Sparta Prague: Clement's side hold off late fightback

Philippe Clement's first Europa League night at Ibrox delivered a significant step towards the knockout rounds as Sparta Prague succumbed to a dominant first-half display.

Expert finishes from Danilo and Todd Cantwell crowned an outstanding opening period from Rangers, who attained almost total control of their Czech visitors.

That lessened somewhat after the break, with a 77th minute strike from Sparta substitute Lukas Haraslin setting up a tense finale in which another Danilo goal was chalked off by VAR.

Ibrox goalkeeper Jack Butland then denied Haraslin with a fine save to ensure Clement’s side secured three points they richly merited on the overall balance of play.

A fifth win from six games under the Belgian continued his early momentum and means Rangers can now seal a top-two finish in Group C with victory over Aris Limassol in Glasgow later this month. That would leave December’s testing trip to Real Betis as relevant only in terms of who won the section.

Speaking on Wednesday, Clement had brushed off suggestions he was ahead of schedule in his work and declared an ambition to turn his squad into a winning ‘machine’.

All the components certainly functioned in a well-oiled manner during an opening period that could have easily seen more than a two-goal lead.

While that power wasn’t quite maintained throughout, this vital victory offered further evidence of the high-pressing brand of football he is starting to implement. Landing another Premiership three points against Livingston on Sunday would complete a positive phase one for Clement as he then heads into the international break.

Sparta had pinned back Rangers during the first half in the Czech capital a fortnight ago. Here, it was a case of role reversal - with one