Rangers keep £70million Champions League double dunt dream alive with savage Czech coefficient blow

A 2-0 win for Rangers over Sparta Prague dealt the Czechs a double blow.

Not only did it strengthen the Light Blues' position in the battle for the top two positions in Group C, but it helped keep the Czech coefficient challenge at arm's length. The Scottish Premiership is locked in a fight to retain it's top ten place before results from previous seasons drop off the total, with the automatic Champions League group stage spot at risk.

We are currently ninth, but with Celtic all but out of the Champions League and Aberdeen's Europa Conference League exit confirmed, maximum points from their final two group games unlikely, the onus is on Rangers to fly the flag should Celtic fail to finish third and drop into the Europa League with their rivals. Before Thursday night, a Sparta Prague win would have left things looking ominous, forcing Scotland out of the top ten.

As it turned out, Gers added 0.4 coefficient points when they were most needed. If they do indeed pip Sparta to the knock-out stage, then that means no more bonus points even in the Conference League for the Czech champs.

However, it was their city rivals Slavia who kept things interesting. They were 2-0 winners over Jose mourinho's Roma, meaning they will almost certainly make it out of their group, meaning the Czech Republic remain a threat when it comes to that top ten spot.

With renewed title hope at Ibrox after Clement cut the gap at the top to Celtic to five points, a return to the top table of European football without the minefield of qualifying rounds is now an optimistic hope again at Ibrox. And that £35million prize pot will be doubled should the Premiership champions retain and return for a second crack at the best in Europe.

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