SPARTA Prague goalscorer Marc Janko felt Rovers caused his side some problems in the first half, but a switch after the break was key to the win.

Janko scored the only goal of the game for the Czech side, five minutes in to the second half, as they edged Rovers out in what was a tight game at the SAK Nonntal Stadium in Salzburg.

Rovers had the better of the possession in the first half, but Sparta came out strong at the start of the second half, and a five minute spell after the break saw David Raya make one fine save, before Janko gave his side the winner.

“The first half we were not well organised and we had some difficulties,” the experienced striker said.

“Second half we changed some little screws and then it was much better.

“We had control of the game and we could deliver our qualities.”

Sparta started the game with a 3-4-3- system, with Rovers able to enjoy plenty of possession.

But a move to a 4-2-3-1 system caused Rovers more problems after the break, with Sparta coach Andrea Stramaccioni admitting he wanted to look at two systems ahead of their Europa League third round qualifier later this month.

He said: “This match closed the pre-season and we worked very hard.

“I used the game to watch certain players to have a direct evaluation of everyone and in the second half we went back to using the system that we play.

“I wanted in the first half to go with a different system, with two strikers, but in the second half we got back to playing how we can.”

Sparta had lost 4-1 to Dinamo Kiev, and drawn 2-2 with Ingolstadt 04, in their other two fixtures in Austria.