Rangers edge out Sparta to bolster Europa hopes

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.

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.

More to follow.