GIO WHIZZ!

Morelos brace puts Gers in last 32 & gets new boss off to a flier

A DOUBLE from Alfredo Morelos saw Rangers brush Sparta Prague aside and guarantee a bright start to life at Ibrox for new boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

The Light Blues were too much for their opposition, who did themselves no favours with their defending, as they clinched second in the group and their passage in the Europa League with a crucial victory.

The home side were in dreamland when a sweeping counter-attack resulted in them taking the lead on the 15-minute mark.

James Tavernier who picked out the run of Ianis Hagi and the forward expertly slid the ball into the path of Morelos who showed exemplary composure to stroke the ball into the net.

Joe Aribo, who had already clipped the bar with an effort in the opening minutes, really should have doubled the lead on 22 minutes.

Hagi turned provider again and played in a perfect ball for his team-mate who somehow directed the ball over the bar. Minutes later Allan Mcgregor produced an excellent save to prevent Martin Minchev at his front post.

Rangers emerged from the break on the front foot but they hardly needed to as they were gifted a second goal within minutes of the restart.

Sparta attempted to pass out from a goal kick and Morelos was teed up perfectly by Filip Panak to head home from close range.

Ryan Kent was really beginning to enjoy the game and sprinted through on goal again but was denied by the feet of Florin Nita.

Aribo should have made it three when he was fed through by Kent on 68 minutes but the midfielder sliced it wide.

Sparta’s best chance of the match fell to substitute Adam Karabec who nodded a cross harmlessly wide with 14 minutes left.

And Mcgregor, who turns 40 in January, then produced an outrageous double save to ensure Rangers kept that

valuable 2-0 lead.