David Hancko nodded Sparta ahead just before the half-hour mark, beating Calvin Bassey to a corner kick. The header found the inside of the post and though Allan McGregor scooped the ball out, technology indicated the goal was good and the ball had crossed the line.
Rangers to that point had been the aggressors, pressing Florin Nita’s goal without really testing the goalkeeeper, though McGregor had been called into action at the other end.
Prague hit the post again before the break and Rangers were forced into an early change with Ianis Hagi replacing the injured Juninho Bacuna.
Steven Gerrard’s preparations had already been ricked by Connor Goldson’s training ground injury, and he will be without Glen Kamara for the next match with Brondby after a very harsh second yellow card saw the Finnish midfielder sent off in the second half.
Rangers continued to press and though James Tavernier and Fashion Sakala went close at the end, the Scottish champions stay bottom of their section.
Here's how the players rated….
Player ratings scale - 10: One of the best performances you've seen. 9: Outstanding. 8: Very good. 7: Good. 6: Average. 5: Poor, 4: Very poor. 3: A terrible day at the office. 2: Abysmal. 1: One of the worst performances you've seen.

5. Borna Barisic - 6
Signs the advancing left-back is returning to form, but not quite there yet. Plenty to deal with on Sparta's right in the second half. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group

6. Glen Kamara - 6
Targeted by the Czech crowd then harshly sent off, incurring another suspension after serving one at the start of the campaign. More suited to this standard of play but not quite as influential as previous Europa encounters. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group

7. Steven Davis - 8
Unflustered in the middle and held Rangers together before, and beyond, Kamara's harsh sending off. Has shown signs of weariness recently, but stepped up tonight. Photo: SNS

8. Juninho Bacuna - 4
Surprise first start for the summer signing but barely lasted half an hour before coming off injured with a problem in his left thigh (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group


