Abdallah Sima 'expects' revitalised Rangers to see off Sparta Prague as he relishes return to former rivals

Abdallah Sima has insisted revitalised Rangers can get their European campaign back on track by beating Sparta Prague in the Czech capital on Thursday.

The on-loan Gers striker notched a double as new boss Philippe Clement's first game in charge ended in a 4-0 demolition of Hibs at Ibrox. Sima – who has seven goals in his last seven games – revealed he can’t wait to return to Prague, where he played for Sparta’s rivals Slavia until signing for Brighton two years ago.

And with Europa League Group C in the melting pot - all four points sitting on three points after two games - the 22-year-old knows the importance of the upcoming 90 minutes. He said: “I know them well from my time in the Czech Republic and it will be a hard game for us. The quality we have here makes me think we can beat them over there. That’s what I believe.

“Sparta are the biggest team in the Czech Republic, so we are going to have to play at the level we showed against Hibs. But I am expecting us to win.

“For sure. It is two years since I left Prague but I have a lot of good memories of my time in that city. I was a Slavia Prague player, so for sure, the Sparta fans will not like me! But I am happy to be going there in a Rangers shirt and will be doing everything to win this game.”

Rangers left back Borna Barisic is struggling with a thigh complaint that will be assessed this morning and if the Croatian international doesn’t make it, Clement will have a problem as Ridvan Yilmaz is not registered for the Europa League. That could mean Ben Davies or young Adam Devine being forced into playing an unfamiliar position against the Czechs.

Speaking after the Hibs match, Clement said: “I don’t know if he (Barisic) will be ready or not for Thursday. We will need