It’s fighting talk from Sparta boss for Rangers’ visit
Sparta Prague manager, Pavel Vrba, reckons they could wipe Rangers out of their Europa League group if they beat them at home in the next match.
While the Light Blues were losing 2-0 at home to group favourites Lyon, the Czech side took a point home from Denmark in their goalless draw against Brondby.
Steven Gerrard’s side now face a potentially controversial trip to Prague later this month to face the bitter rivals of Slavia Prague, who were involved in a powder keg fixture at Ibrox side last season.
Midfielder Glen Kamara was racially abused on the pitch, and the fallout lasted several weeks.
Vrba believes three points against the Scottish champions would make it very difficult for them to get back into contention.
He said: “Getting a point in Denmark was no bad thing. We know what we need to do to be successful in this group.
“It’s very important in the group stages how you start. Well, we play Rangers next, and if we beat them, we will have four points and they will have none.
“We have the chance to really put them in a lot of trouble if we win, so it could be the most-important match in the group.
“Brondby are a good team, too, and they will pick up points in the group, for sure.”
Bayer Leverkusen have been hit with a huge blow ahead of their trip to face Celtic after Argentina international, Exequiel Palacios, was ruled out of the match.
The Hoops welcome the Bundesliga side to Parkhead on September 30, hoping for a win after their 4-3 loss to Real Betis in midweek.
The Germans beat Ferencvaros 2-1 at home, and had playmaker Palacios to thank after he equalised with a superb goal following the Hungarians taking a shock lead.
But he was later taken off, and it’s now been confirmed he has suffered ankle ligament damage and will be missing for a month, ruling the 22-year-old out of the trip to Scotland.
Palacios, who has 14 caps for Argentina, cost Leverkusen £15-million last year and has been an ever-present under manager, Gerardo Seoane.
Seoane said: “It’s an unfortunate situation because Exequiel has been a big part of the way we play.
“So we need other players to step up and make an impression now.”