- Rangers are rumoured to be set to head off to a pre-season training camp in Germany, the home of head coach Danny Rohl.
- Sparta are also set to be based in Grassau, with multiple friendlies planned against European and Asian opposition.
- Potential meeting would revive past tensions linked to Glen Kamara abuse case and Kemar Roofe red card incident.
Rangers are set to step up their preparations for the 2026/27 season with a reported training camp in Germany under Danny Rohl. With Czech side Sparta Prague among the potential opponents lined up for friendly fixtures in July.
Brian Priske’s Sparta squad are also scheduled to spend part of their pre-season in Grassau, where they will play at least four friendlies. With reports in Czechia suggesting that opponents will including matches against Scottish opposition and clubs from Japan or Denmark. Rangers are understood to be among the teams being considered for one of those fixtures.
Reports suggest this match will take place on July 16.
The meeting would take place as part of Rangers’ wider pre-season programme in Germany, where Rohl is expected to assess his squad in a controlled but competitive environment as he begins shaping his first full campaign in charge at Ibrox.
Rangers racism issues with Prague sides
However, any potential encounter with Sparta Prague would inevitably carry historical and emotional context given the clubs’ previous Europa League meetings and the wider backdrop of tensions involving Czech football and Rangers in recent years.
The most high-profile incident came during the 2021 Europa League campaign, when Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara was subjected to alleged racist abuse during a match against Sparta’s city rivals Slavia Prague by defender Ondrej Kudela.
UEFA later handed Kudela a 10-match suspension following the investigation.
The fallout from that incident led to significant scrutiny of Czech clubs on the European stage. With Rangers manager Steven Gerrard at the time calling for stronger sanctions against racism in football.
“There needs to be stronger punishments to stop racism in football,” Gerrard said. Adding that “more needs to be done” to address repeated incidents across the game.
Forward Kemar Roofe was also sent off in that same tie against Slavia following a challenge on the goalkeeper. Further adding to a tense competitive backdrop between Scottish and Czech sides in continental competition.
Sparta boo Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara
The match between Sparta Prague and Rangers in the same campaign also carried controversy. With black and mixed-race Rangers players including Kamara subjected to booing during a Europa League fixture in Prague. A match in which Kamara was sent off.
UEFA allowed the game to be played in front of a reduced crowd of 10,000 children and accompanying adults following earlier sanctions on Sparta.
Sparta later issued a strongly worded statement rejecting allegations of racism at the time. Describing them as “unfounded accusations.” However, UEFA ultimately avoided further disciplinary action over the crowd behaviour.
Readrangers.com analysis – Jack Cranmer
While those incidents now sit several years in the past. The prospect of Rangers facing Sparta again in a pre-season setting would inevitably bring added attention. Even in a non-competitive environment.
However, for Rohl the focus will be firmly on football matters as he looks to integrate new ideas, assess squad depth, and build rhythm ahead of a crucial season at Ibrox.
The rumoured German training camp is expected to provide a structured environment for both tactical work and high-intensity friendlies against varied European opposition.
Final confirmation of Rangers’ pre-season fixtures and a training camp is expected in the coming weeks. But a potential clash with Sparta Prague would add an intriguing subplot to their summer schedule in Germany.
