It was a little difficult to unfold the magnificent “By Your Side We’re Loyal and True” banner across the Broomloan Stand.
However, the message was very apparent. After just one month on the job, Philippe Clement has brought the team together in support of a group of players who appear rejuvenated. And unique things can occur here when everyone
is together. With the least amount of fuss, he is undoubtedly communicating his own message to his soldiers. Even though the Union Bears experienced some minor issues with their performance, their heroes had less difficulty defeating Sparta Prague and moving within one victory of qualification.
Clement might have been asked to assist prior to the game by the bettors. Since he came to Ibrox, the new boss, by his own admission, is no stranger to dealing with perplexing circumstances. The Belgian was perplexed by the never-ending Ibrox injury list last week.
What had Clement scratching his head in complete confusion going into this one was the lack of fit and firing personnel from the European squad chosen by his predecessor Michael Beale. However, it appears that he has now devised a plan for traveling throughout Europe to reach the knockout stage.
Most astonishing of all, after going six games without a loss, appears to be the new manager’s genuine answer to a host of issues that were both self-inflicted and fatal for Beale. With the best keeper in the league behind them, a defense that continued to let goals in on big occasions appears more confident after the match.
Now that a midfield with too many components has achieved the right balance, it can be productive. Additionally, the big £6 million summer signing, who was beginning to look like a misfit because the pieces were not fitting together, is now firing on all fronts.
Danilo, that man, is starting to prove he was worth every dollar spent. The crowd has already inscribed his name into the Oasis hit song She’s Electric, and he was certainly charged after robbing a careless Gambian James Gomez is back with a finish as sick as the 99 on his back, before showcasing his clinical edge.
That set the stage for the most relaxed evening the Rangers could have wanted against the Czechs. In 77 minutes, Todd Cantwell scored the game-winning goal before Prague responded. Well, it’s certainly far from being flawless.
Clement will acknowledge that, and it’s possible that his first Old Firm game and another fifty days will be the true test. However, the Rangers are back in action. Keeping with the theme of puzzles, the biggest mystery surrounding this game may have been how the outcome would affect both Celtic’s and Rangers’ prospects in Europe.
Okay, so it might be a bit much to imagine Hoops supporters applauding on the light blues last night. However, there was a good reason why they ought to have trailed Clement’s army closely.
The unsettling reality is that Scotland’s ranking in the top 10 of UEFA’s coefficient puzzle—a position that ensures the Premiership winners’ direct entry into the Champions League group stage—is gravely in jeopardy. lurking in that perplexing algorithm just behind us? Switzerland, Austria, and yes, you guessed it, the Czechs.
Not to get all Carol Vorderman about the numbers, but to put it in football terms, the Czechs are getting closer. Quick.
Scotland’s three teams had managed just six points out of thirty group stage points prior to last night, while the three Czech teams still playing in Europe had amassed an impressive 19 points out of a possible 27. It was really in everyone’s best interests in the Scottish game, especially for those with aspirations, to keep Sparta in check at Ibrox.
