Rangers bad blood plea heeded by Sparta fans as 'f**k you' chant as far as it goes on night football took the focus

Rangers fans awoke on Thursday to tributes to the great man. And they will have gone to bed dreaming about the best tribute their team could possibly have conjured to pay to Walter Smith.

The showdown with Sparta in the Czech capital fell on the second anniversary of the legendary Ibrox manager’s death. It’s unclear if new boss Philippe Clement ever had the pleasure of making his acquaintance. But by the end of this stomach-churner it seemed like he’d had the spirit of Smith peering over his shoulder, given the way his heroic side put on a gritty display bearing all the hallmarks of the performances his predecessor’s team once showed.

It wasn’t comfortable. They had Jack Butland to thank at the interval. But Rangers clung on through the teeth of relentless Prague pressure to claim a vital Europa League point. It would have been fitting that sub Danilo was wearing a mask because make no mistake about it, it would have been a robbery had Gers snatched a win courtesy of the Brazilian’s late strike, which crashed against the bar.

But they merited the draw for their perseverance alone. Clement even dipped into Smith’s book of tricks, dusting down the old five-man backline that took the 2008 side all the way to Manchester. And the tactic could well see Rangers through Group C, having now put their campaign back on track following their crash to Aris Limassol last time out.

Gers touched down in the Czech Republic fearing trouble off the pitch and in the stands following the disgraceful scenes that were witnessed on their last visit here in 2021. Sparta Prague were hoping for a “new chapter” in their difficult story with Rangers as they looked to move on from the vile treatment meted out to former stalwart Glen Kamara that night.