A cruel spin of the ball left Rangers shellshocked against Sparta Prague three decades ago.
But Nigel Spackman is convinced the new manager bounce at Ibrox under Philippe Clement can spare the Light Blues any more Czech pain this week. The defender was part of Walter Smith’s side who suffered late agony against Sparta when the side’s men in the first round of the European Cup in 1991.
Gers were confident of progress despite going 1-0 down in Prague and had one foot in the second round after Stuart McCall sent the tie in to extra time and then gave his tie the advantage with a sensational volley. But Sparta sprung a surprise when Scott Nisbet could only divert into his own net to sent Gers spinning out on the away goals rule. It was a sore one for Spackman – but the pain was spared the following season in the newly revamped Champions League as Rangers went all the way to within a breath of the final.
Spackman said: “That was a painful one. We should have got more out there but we were confident going back to Ibrox in front of a full house. It looked like we were on course but it was a horrible goal we lost. I remember Walter wasn’t too chuffed, to say the least.
The ball kind of spun off Scott and then spun past Andy Goram. It became one of those nights. Back then with the way goals it was a killer. We were 2-0 up and coasting – then that goal flipped the entire tie.
“It was desperately disappointing because even though it was difficult back then with the three foreigners rule, we had high hopes of doing something in the competition. We should have gone through.
“But it just showed you can’t afford to make mistake at European level. It’s the same now as it was them.
Spackman knows Rangers will be up against it in Prague on Thursday after they look to get back on track in the Europa League following the shock defeat in Cyprus to Aris Limassol. The win against Real Betis in Glasgow was a solid start though and Gers are still well in the mix to process.
And they had an instant reaction to the regime change in Philippe Clement’s first match in charge at the weekend. Rangers were rejuvenated as they swept Hibs aside in a 4-0 win that’s got supporters feeling optimist again following a miserable start to the campaign.
Spackman said: “Sparta were a strong side back then and they are a strong side now. They are top of their league and will be a tough prospect.
“But Rangers got the new manager bounce against Hibs – and let’s hope it’s a big bounce. The signs are very positive. Clement is a manager who likes high pressing, attacking football.
“But he is clever and experienced enough to realise some of the players might now be used to doing that, so it’s about getting the balance.
“Rangers have been fantastic in Europe in the last few years, so the boys know how to go about it. This is a new group though and they need to show they can do it.
“There were a lot of positives at the weekend. Four goals and a clean sheet is the ideal start and it just changed the entire mood around the place. Philippe has come in and he will have his own ideas of how he wants to play.
“I’m sure he will be looking to add some pace to the side, and that is something that is crucial, even more so in Europe when you maybe need to defend a bit deeper and don’t want to be risking passing the ball out from the back all the time.
“I’m sure he will be confident of getting a result in Prague. This team already managed to beat Real Betis, despite not being in the best of form in general, so he knows they are capable of big performances at this level.
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