Rangers deemed Europa League long ball merchants as Sparta Prague boss calls Michael Beale's side 'old British type'

Sparta Prague manager boss Brian Priske has plenty of Rangers respect - but anticipates a Europa League aerial bombardment when the pair lock horns.

It's a rematch at the same stage that the Light Blues met the Czech club two years ago, and they will also face Real Betis and Cypriot side Aris Limassol in the second tier group stage phase. Priske is desperate to avoid bottom in order to have at least Europa Conference League football to look forward to at Sparta Prague beyond Christmas, and reckons Michael Beale's Rangers will take an old fashioned approach against them.

He said: "We have very interesting matches against three quality teams that differ in their concept. We have respect for them all. Rangers are representatives of the old British type of football. Aggressive in the tackle, long balls and very quick on the counter-attack. Betis will have players of a higher quality because they are from Spain and Aris have many individually gifted players.

"We have six tough games ahead of us, but the home games will be very important to us. Our fans are a huge asset. For us, staying in Europe after Christmas will be fantastic."

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