A former Rangers defender hopes his former team can spare itself the heartbreak that his team experienced in 1991 at Sparta Prague.
Three decades ago, Rangers were left stunned by a harsh ball spin during their match against Sparta Prague.
Nigel Spackman, though, is confident that Philippe Clement’s management change at Ibrox will prevent the Light Blues from suffering any more against the Czechs this week. The defender played for Walter Smith’s team in the 1991 European Cup first round against Sparta, where the team endured late anguish.
Despite losing 1-0 in Prague, the Germans were optimistic about their chances of moving on and were already in the second round after Stuart McCall forced extra time and then gave his team the lead with an incredible goal. However, Scott Nisbet’s only possible deflection into his own net sent the Gers reeling on the away goals rule, giving Sparta a surprise. Although it was a painful experience for Spackman, he was spared the agony the next season when Rangers advanced all the way to the final of the newly redesigned Champions League.
“That was a painful one,” Spackman remarked. Although we ought to have done better, we felt secure enough to return to Ibrox and play to a packed house. Although it appeared that we were on track, we lost a terrible goal. Walter wasn’t exactly overjoyed, as I recall.
“The ball sort of whirled past Andy Goram after spinning off Scott. It turned into one of those evenings. With the way goals were back then, it was lethal. We had a 2-0 lead and were coasting when that goal turned the entire match around.
“We had great expectations of participating in the competition, even though it was challenging at the time due to the three foreigners’ rule.” We ought to have continued.
But it did demonstrate that mistakes are not acceptable at the European level. As it was then, it is the same now.
Spackman is aware that Rangers will face tough competition in Prague on Thursday as they attempt to resume their winning ways in the Europa League after suffering a shocking loss to Aris Limassol in Cyprus. Although the victory over Real Betis in Glasgow was a strong beginning, the Gers are still very much in the running.
And in Philippe Clement’s first game in charge this past weekend, they responded immediately to the change in leadership. Rangers’ 4-0 thumping of Hibs has reinvigorated the team and given their supporters hope after a dismal start to the season.
Sparta was a formidable force both then and now, according to Spackman. They are the best in their division and a formidable opponent.
But Rangers beat Hibs under the new management, and let’s hope it’s a big bounce. The omens are really promising. Clement is a manager who like offensive, high-pressing football.
It’s about striking the right balance, though, since he is astute and experienced enough to see that some of the players may now be accustomed to doing that.
The boys know how to approach it; in recent years, rangers have been amazing in Europe. However, as a new group, they must demonstrate their abilities.
“Over the weekend, a lot of good things happened. Starting with four goals and a blank slate is the best option, and it immediately lifted everyone’s spirits. Now that Philippe is here, he will be playing according to his own plans.
He will undoubtedly want to give the team more pace, which is essential—even more so in Europe when you might need to play a deeper defense and don’t want to constantly risk passing the ball out of the back.
He will undoubtedly be certain of achieving success in Prague. Despite their overall lackluster play, this club has already defeated Real Betis, so he is confident in their ability to put up strong performances at this level.
Rangers must use caution, though, as Sparta is a fierce and vengeful team. The Light Blues eliminated the Czechs from the Europa League en route to the championship game two years prior, but they have since emerged victorious from their domestic league’s traps to occupy the top spot, remain unbeaten after 12 games, and score 34 goals.
Despite losing to Aris Limassol by a slim margin at Betis, they defeated him and are now aiming for a position in the knockout stages. Spackman thinks his former team can make a strong run at Europe again, but he cautioned that Clement’s primary attention would be on the domestic rivalry with Celtic.
“We all know how important the European games are,” he remarked. In recent years, Rangers supporters have had some amazing evenings. They had a tough Champions League campaign last year, but they had a fantastic Europa League record.
“These games capture the energy and atmosphere of Ibrox, and a large number of people travel there.” Great accomplishments bring fame and praise, as Gio van Bronckhorst’s run to Seville demonstrated.
“It must be done domestically, every week, without fail. We always aspired to perform well in Europe as a group.
But winning the home league was what mattered most. That is something that the new manager will have top of mind as we handled it throughout the Nine in a Row years.
Although there has been success in recent years in European competitions, the title is what the supporters really want to win on a regular basis.They should be vying with Celtic for first place.”
