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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Stewart Wilson

Clement picks out Davies and Sima for praise after Sparta Prague draw

Rangers boss Phillipe Clement has praised both Ben Davies and Abdallah Sima after the draw with Sparta Prague in the Europa League.

It ended all square in Generali Arena after a game in which either team could have walked away with the win.

And the Belgian was happy with the second-half performance. He said: "We started the second half much better. It’s a game that was in the balance first half for Sparta, second half for us.

"If you look at the data, the chances are equal and we had more shots on target. It could have been win for us, it could have been a win for them had they taken their chances in the first half.

"But I am happy with the reaction we showed in the second half. It has been a special week, because we lost three left full-backs.

"Because of that we had to change our system. Doing that in just two training sessions is very difficult for any team in the world.

"I am really happy after showing them images at half-time where the spaces were that they were much better second half.

"We dominated the chances and at the end you can say we could have won the game. They had two really great saves."

He was also keen to praise Sima and Davies for their contributions to the result, stating that both played important roles defensively.

"I was very pleased with Ben [Davies]," he continued. "I want everyone available for the team and those who have come in during training and they will get their chances in the next weeks.

"The chances will come if they show themselves because we have a lot of games. When you see the circumstances, I am really happy with Ben, but also Sima who is not used to playing a wing-back role.

"He did a great job defensively. That’s what I want to see, a team that fights for each other until the end.

"That’s now two clean sheets in a row and if you do that you will take a lot of points from the season.

"But I don’t want a team that only plays for clean sheets and only defends. I want a team that plays good football and creates chances."

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