Rangers 2 Sparta 1 – Euro victory for Clements men / Managers reaction

UEFA Europa League

Matchday 4

Thursday 9th November 2023

RANGERS: Butland, Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Barisic, Lundstram, Jack, Lammers, Sima, Cantwell, Danilo.

Subs: McCrorie, K. Wright, Dessers, Lawrence, Cifuentes, Sterling, Roofe, King, Devine, McCausland.

First half action –

6 mins – Lammers ball through to Cantwell who riffles across face of goal and Danilo was inches away.

11 mins – GOOOAAAALLLL! Danilo robs the defender and rolls a left footed strike past the GK and Rangers are ahead! 1-0

16 mins – NEARLY! A Barisic cross headed out and Todd Cantwell acrobatically shoots towards goal and pushed out. 1-0

18 mins – Save Butland, it’s routine but a long throw is just nudged over to be safe.

21 mins – GOOOOAAAALLLLL! Cantwell, found by Sima with a superb pass, cuts in and finishes superbly on his left foot! It’s 2-0!

28 mins – POST! Danilo picks it up edge of box, he steers a shot wide clipping the post. Almost 3!

37 mins – Gomez 📒 Foul on Cantwell, it’s far out but Tav is unlucky as he bends his FK wide.

40 mins – SHOT! Cantwell drives in after a slip from Gomez, his shot is saves by the GL feet, good effort from Cantwell.

45 mins – Vitik 📒

Half time score – Rangers 2 Sparta 0

Summary – Warm applause for Rangers at HT after a very handy first half performance. Two good goals, first triggered by a Danilo press and a lovely finish. The second a superb take down then switch by Sima which found Cantwell, his chop from right to left set him up to roll it in beautifully.

But this has been fun, a good half. Nice shape, Danilo key to the press and it’s working.

So far so good, 2-0 Rangers.

Second half action –

45-55 mins – Sparta pressing without creating much, subs made a difference but no real threat. A warning to Rangers just to lift it again however.

58 mins – Barisic caution for dissent 📒

62 mins – Diving header from sun Laci is wide, Tav was caught with a clearance which is blocked and Sparta sprung clear without capitalising.

69 mins – SUB Cantwell OFF McCausland ON

71 mins – WIDE! Sparta corner is headed out and the bouncing volleyed effort goes wide. 2-0

75 mins – SHOT! McCausland drives on and his effort is saved by the GK feet, Jack then tries a bending effort which is well saved. 2-0

76 mins – CHANCE! What a pass by McCausland but Sima can’t get it on target. 2-0

78 mins – GOAL! Sparta get one back as Haraslin slams in a cut back. 2-1

79 mins – GOOOOAAAALLLL! Danilo wins it and slides it home! 3-1!

HOLD ON, VAR CHECK. It’s disallowed and stays 2-1.

82 mins – Sima fires a volley over, more good play from McAusland.

85 mins – SUBS Danilo, Sima OFF Lawrence, Dessers ON

86 mins – SAVE! Butland full strength tips it away. 2-1

89 mins – Caution Tavernier 📒

90 mins – SIX added minutes.

93 mins – Caution Lammers 📒

95 mins – SUB Lammers OFF Cifuentes ON

98 mins – Caution Goldson 📒 (He will miss Aris game at home now)

99 mins – WHISTLE SOUNDS

Full time Score – Rangers 2 Sparta 1

ATTENDANCE- 48838

Match summary –

Rangers very confident in the first half with two good goals putting us two goals to the good. An enjoyable half actually, lots of good stuff with a noticeable shape and performance.

Second half subs made a difference for Sparta as they began to impose themselves but they failed to really threaten at any point and Rangers still carried that threat.

Sparta then hit one back and were back in it. Danilo cruelly denied a quick response as McCausland made a difference but Sparta pressed and pushed at Rangers clearly brightened by that goal back.

But Rangers held on in a game of two halves really but this is a work in progress so every victory is welcomed and we’ll take that, with little bits of progress again.