Rangers earn hard-fought Europa League point with goalless draw in Prague

Rangers have earned a hard-fought Europa League point in Prague with a backs-to-the-wall performance against Sparta.

They survived a string of nervy moments in Czech to hold on to a 0-0 draw that puts them on four points after three games.

Despite being on the back foot for large parts of the game they nearly won it right at the death with Sam Lammers and Danilo both coming close late on.

With Borna Barisic injured Rangers adopted an unfamiliar set up with Ben Davies coming in to make it a back three with wing-backs in the shape of James Tavernier and Abdallah Sima.

The home side came out of the traps the quickest and had the best of the first-half with Jack Butland to thank for keeping it at 0-0 with a several good saves early on.

And Rangers were really hanging on towards the end of the first 45 as Prague peppered the box with shots and crosses.

They also had a penalty claim when John Lundstram made a last ditch challenge to avoid an almost certain goal, but the referee waved play on after a quick consultation with his VAR team.

Clement’s side managed to create their first opportunity from a corner but Lundstram’s effort was well over the bar.

Rangers would have been the happiest to see the end of a half where they failed to register a shot on target and spent most of it with their backs to the wall.

The second half started in much the same manner, but there was early signs that Rangers were starting to get further up the park to cause the Prague defence some issues of their own.

Prague came close to opening the scoring just before the hour-mark after some brilliant link-up play but Kutcha’s shot was just wide of Butland’s post.

Rangers finally had their first shot on target soon after and again it fell to Lundstram but his tame effort was easily saved by Vindahl-Jensen.

The home side continued with relentless attacks but as the seconds ticked away with still no opening goal, Clement’s side were looking more and more likely to take something from the game back to Ibrox.

And they had their best chance of the game yet with 15 minutes remaining when Sam Lammers set a curling shot goalward but Vindahl-Jensen was on hand to palm it by the post for a corner.

They started to grow in confidence as the game reached the final ten minutes and had their best spell of the game as they looked to nick it at the death.

Danilo came close to winning it for Rangers but the keeper done well to tip his shot on to the bar with five minutes remaining.

Tavernier and Raskin also had late efforts as the home started to look dead on their feet but on the whole the travelling support will be the happiest with the draw.