Sparta believe they have a secret weapon for Gers tie
Sparta Prague reckon t h ey may ha ve an unusual advantage against Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Their confidence come from the fact Steven Gerrard’s side have never played in front of 10,000 screaming kids.
Rangers travel to the Czech Republic for the second round of fixtures in the group stages, after they lost their opening game at home to Lyon.
The fixture was supposed to be played behind closed doors after UEFA punished Sparta for their fans’ racist behaviour in a Champions League qualifier against Monaco earlier this season.
The French side won 2- 0 before going through in the return 5- 1 on aggregate.
UEFA offers exemptions for children under 14 to attend the game with the Scottish champions, and Sparta
have immediately sold out their reduced 10,000 capacity for the Letna Stadium.
Only one adult will be allowed in to accompany groups of up to 19 kids, so Rangers will experience
a very unusual, highpitched atmosphere.
And Sparta spokesman, Ondrej Kasík, believes it could even hand them an advantage.
He said: “The marketing department at the club did a great job in organising this, and distributing the tickets to schools and sports clubs.
“The interest was huge. We could have easily sold out the 18,000 capacity, but we have restricted numbers due to Covid for now.
“Perhaps it will help our players – it will certainly be a new experience for them.
“I know our players are very curious about what the atmosphere will be like.
“The first- team squad has experienced both a sold- out stadium, and an empty stadium due to Covid measures.
“But they’ve never experienced an atmosphere with a ground full of kids.”
Sparta were in league action, away to Fastav Zlin, yesterday.
Meanwhile, Celtic’s Europa League opponents on Thursday, Bayer Leverkusen hosted Mainz in the Bundesliga.
T he Ge r m a n s ’ Wunderkin, 18- year- old Florian Wirtzl, got the game’s only goal after 62 minutes after he was set up by ex- Celt, Jeremie Frimpong.
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