ON THIS DAY
Czech side are tricky tie for Light Blues as Record Sport gives you the lowdown on what now stands between Ibrox men and spot in Europa last eight Former Rangers gaffer McLeish urges caution ahead of Slavia Prague clashes
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RANGERS have been handed a tough tie in the Europa League last 16 as they face Czech champs Slavia Prague.
With Manchester United and AC Milan also in the draw, fans may have been dreaming of a glamour tie against a true European heavyweight. Others hoped to draw Norwegians Molde or Young Boys of Switzerland, theoretically giving Steven Gerrard’s side a better chance of progression. Instead, it’s arguably the worst of both worlds as Rangers are handed a tricky tie against an in-form team. Here’s what you need to know about Slavia Prague.
Who are Slavia Prague?
Founded in 1892, Slavia are one of the traditional powerhouses of Czech football. They claim to have the oldest kit in the world, having never changed the distinctive red and white halves with a red star on the white half, since their foundation. The only deviation came between 1953 and 1956 when the communist authorities in Czechoslovakia ordered the club to play in black. They can lay claim to 30 domestic titles, although 10 of those are not officially recognised, having been played in sporadic fashion in the old Czech Championship. The official record gives them 20 – six in the modern Czech top flight, 13 in the old Czechoslovakian league and one in the Bohemian Football Union Championships. Slavia were dominant in the 1920s and ’30s thanks to the coaching of Scots manager Johnny Madden, who played for Celtic in their first match. Known as the “father of Czech football”, he’s buried in Olsany cemetery in the city and has a stand named in his honour at Slavia’s Eden Arena. The Czechs are owned by Chinese firm CITIC Group and have won the last two league titles. Slavia are well on their way to a third, sitting eight points clear of arch rivals Sparta Prague, with whom they compete in the derby.
How did they reach this stage?
Slavia have been impressive in recent seasons, reaching the Europa League quarter-finals in 2018-19. They won plaudits, if not points, in a difficult Champions League group with Inter Milan, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund last season and have had some big results this term. They took six points from Nice and three from Bayer Leverkusen in their group before stunning Leicester. After a 0-0 in Prague, they deservedly won 2-0 in the return.
Who is their manager?
Jindrich Trpisovsky is a rising star and has been compared to Jurgen Klopp. The 44-year-old has an impressive win rate close to 70 per cent at Slavia and is known for an aggressive pressing style.
Who is their star man?
Abdallah Sima is Slavia’s top player, a 19-year-old Senegalese forward. He got the crucial second goal against Leicester and has hit 15 goals in 22 games. There was interest in January but Slavia slapped a £50million price-tag on him.
Who else do Rangers need to worry about?
West Ham fans can tell you about the talent at Slavia, with Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal currently tearing it up in the Premier League. Romanian midfielder Nicolae Stanciu has grace and guile, with Lukas Masopust a threat out wide. Ibrahim Traore will cause problems going box to box and Peter Olayinka is dangerous on the left.
How is their European record?
Reached UEFA Cup semi-finals in the 1995-96 season but lost 2-0 to Bordeaux on aggregate, with the French losing to Bayern Munich in the showpiece.
Any previous meetings?
Slavia have never met Rangers but lost 3-1 to St Mirren on aggregate in the 1985-86 UEFA Cup and 4-3 to Hearts in the same competition in 1992-93.
ALEX McLEISH has warned Rangers not to get too cocky after avoiding the Europa League big guns.
Steven Gerrard’s team could have faced a battle of Britain against Manchester United, Tottenham or Arsenal in the draw for the last 16.
They could have landed a two-leg clash with continental kings such as AC Milan or Ajax.
But there was relief among supporters after seeing their team pulled out of the hat with Czech champions Slavia Prague.
Rangers fans will see it as another winnable tie after they blitzed their way past Royal Antwerp 9-5 on aggregate.
But former manager McLeish insists Jindrich Trpisovsky’s side should not be underestimated ahead of the first leg at the Sinobo Stadium on March 11.
Like Gerrard’s team, the Red and Whites have yet to suffer defeat in their domestic league and sparked a major shock when they dumped Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester out of the competition on Thursday.
McLeish has also been impressed by a youth academy that has helped rear current West Ham stars Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek.
And while the former Ibrox boss believes Rangers are capable of marching on to the quarter-finals, he insists it will not be the walk in the park some fans are predicting.
McLeish, speaking to Ten10 Podcasts’ Rangers Connection show, said: “Slavia Prague have done well and you think of the result against Leicester, which was amazing.
“Everybody will be looking at it and thinking, ‘Slavia Prague are not one of the big names’. They are an emerging side.
“You think of the two boys at West Ham that Davie Moyes signed – that looks like fantastic recruitment as well. There is an emergence there.
“In saying that, Rangers have handled everything so far and if Slavia Prague are the best team left in the tournament I will be surprised.
“If the draw falls right for Rangers then there is no saying how it is all going to end up.
“There are superb teams left in the competition and Rangers have done their job up until now.
“Now they will face bigger tests. Rangers will go into it with the same diligence they did against the previous opponents. It was like a fivea-side game on Thursday night against Antwerp, it was end to end.
“The first leg was a sevengoal thriller and then Thursday was the same. “It was two teams going at it hammer and tongs. There will be a bit of euphoria in terms of the draw but let’s not get carried away and say this will be an easy draw.”
Slavia boss Trpisovsky is looking forward to pitting his wits against former Liverpool great Gerrard. “I am excited and satisfied with the draw,” he said.
“They are coached by a former great player and a great coach in Steven Gerrard, whom I have always admired.
“In addition they have a beautiful stadium. I wanted us to draw another British team after beating Leicester. We haven’t been to Scotland yet so I’m extremely satisfied.”
Midfielder Nico Stanciu said: “Rangers are a good team. It’ll be an important tie for us, a hard test, but it is a nice draw.”