Rangers take on Sparta Prague this week in quick fire repeat of the 2021/22 Europa League group stage draw that ended with Giovanni van Bronckhorst leading his team out in the final.
The management and squad is different but Philippe Clement will still be able to reflect on the two games when he goes head to head with former teammate Brian Priske.
If Rangers are to come out on top against Sparta Prague, they will have to avoid the shambles of a display from the last visit to the Czech Republic and repeat more of the dominant home win.
Two different managers oversaw the two games last time around.
Rangers looking for Gio repeat against Sparta Prague
Steven Gerrard oversaw a defence that had Leon Balogun and Calvin Bassey partnered in the centre of it, although the phrase “partner” is a loose one based on how poorly they prevented the opposition from getting through to Allan McGregor.
The veteran stopper produced a series of outstanding stops to keep the score at 1-0 and a Glen Kamara red card did little to help either.
When Rangers faced Sparta Prague at Ibrox, the performance was entirely different although McGregor did something equally as impressive with his last minute save.
A front three of Ianis Hagi, Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent caused problems from the first minute and Filip Panak provided one of the most bizarre assists you’ll ever see.
In Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s first game in charge, Rangers offered a hint of what was to come in the rest of the European campaign with a high intensity, atmosphere charge effort.
Philippe Clement will be looking for something similar from the ’23 vintage after the dismal defeat to Aris Limassol that negated Michael Beale’s finest result on match day one v Real Betis.
Against Hibs, we saw a possible hint of how the new manager will want his team to play and front foot football has proven to be what is needed in the past to get fans on side, and on their feet.
A win for Rangers over Sparta Prague would keep the momentum going and give Philippe Clement the sort of start that would get the Light Blues faithful immediately behind him.
