Todd Cantwell earns Rangers crucial Europa League win over Sparta Prague | Europa League

Rangers moved clear into second place in Europa League Group C with what turned out to be a nervy 2-1 win over Sparta Prague at Ibrox.

The two sides fought out a goalless draw within the Czech Republic final month but it surely 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 once more it was dominated out after VAR verify for a foul and in the long run the house gamers and followers have been glad to listen to the ultimate whistle.

Philippe Clement has now gone six video games unbeaten since taking over as Light Blues boss and incremental enchancment is obvious however they have been holding on on the finish

Real Betis have 9 factors, Rangers have seven, Sparta Prague have 4 and Aris Limassol simply three.

Rangers host Aris Limassol later within the month earlier than concluding their marketing campaign in December with a visit to Spain to face Real Betis, and there may be lots nonetheless at stake.

The house facet have 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 probability got here within the fifth minute when a reduce from Cantwell simply missed the sliding Danilo, sporting a masks once more to guard a cheekbone damage.

However, the Gers striker quickly took benefit of a horror mistake by the guests, intercepting a lazy backpass from defender James Gomez earlier than racing by to slide the ball previous keeper Peter Vindahl for his third purpose in 4 video games.

The Czech facet have been rattled and Vindahl quickly needed to make a save from a spectacular Cantwell effort.

At the other end, Rangers keeper Jack Butland tipped a header from Gomez over the bar for another corner which came to nothing, before Rangers stretched the lead.

Danilo took possession deep in the visitors’ half, moved the ball on to the right-hand side for Cantwell who turned back inside Gomez before bending a drive into the far corner for his first goal of the season and once again the home fans were celebrating.

Sparta players came together in an impromptu ring to try to sort things out but it got no better.

In the 27th minute a poor clearance from Sparta captain Asger Sørensen from an Abdallah Sima cross ended at the feet of Danilo and he smashed the outside of the post with a drive from 16 yards and 10 minutes later skipper James Tavernier came close with a 25-yard free-kick.

Gomez was having a torrid night and his slip allowed Cantwell to run clear on to a Connor Goldson pass but his unconvincing shot was blocked by the foot of Vindahl.

There was no surprise when Gomez failed to emerge for the second half with Victor Olatunji also staying inside as Qazim Laci and Tomáš Weisner came on for Czech side who began to push Rangers back for the first time, with Laci sending a header past the post just after the hour mark.

Clement’s side could not get going and in the 69th minute Cantwell made way for young attacker Ross McCausland to give a much-needed energy boost to the Govan side.

Still Sparta had the upper hand and Haraslín just missed the target with a shot into the ground following a corner.

Vindahl made saves from McCausland and midfielder Ryan Jack as Rangers tried to reassert themselves but they found themselves under real pressure when Haraslin played a one-two with Angelo Preciado and swept the ball into the net from 10 yards.

Danilo looked as though he had immediately restored Rangers’ two-goal lead but Italian referee David Massa checked his pitch side monitor and decided that the Gers attacker had tripped Sørensen to get his chance.

Butland made a fine save from Haraslin’s powerful drive as Rangers defended desperately for a valuable three points which looked like being a lot easier earned at the interval.