It’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon.Because Philippe Clement has used his go-to platitude so frequently, the words run the risk of becoming stale as a pair of old jogging pants.
The Rangers manager has used this line often to allay uneasy inquiries about the status of his team’s title battle with Celtic, to temper escalating expectations, and to make sure his players’ attention are fixed entirely on the task at hand. The problem for those of us asking those annoying questions, though, is that if Clement’s pacesetters keep going in the same direction, we’re probably going to get the same old response.
As the Light Blues get ready for the last stretch of the Premiership, they may be heading home. Rangers lead by a razor-thin two-point margin in their nine-game sprint to the victory line. There may still be a very long way to go, though, in terms of Rangers’ larger goals.
In fact, should they manage to stretch this incredible endurance test of a campaign to both Dublin and Hampden, the Light Blues could have to drag themselves through 17 exhausting, leg-stripping games in a mere seventy-two days.
They have previously followed this route, having experienced the exhilarating trip to Seville and subsequent Scottish Cup triumph under Gio van Bronckhorst just two years prior. Is it really that unlikely that Rangers could make it all the way across the continent again, considering those recent recollections?
Maybe so, but the Viaplay Cup winners still have a lot of obstacles to clear this year. Given that Hearts have attempted and failed to secure a victory against Gers four times already this season, the Tynecastle squad may not appear to be a favorite in the Scottish Cup semifinals.
However, Clement now acknowledges that his side is living in the kennels with the other underdogs in Europe. When the Portuguese powerhouses visit Glasgow on Thursday for the second leg of the Europa League, the Gers will need to perform just as well at home if they are to pave the way to the quarterfinals. Last week, they did a fantastic job neutralizing Benfica’s danger at the Stadium of Light.
There won’t be a scarcity of large creatures waiting for them in the following round, though, even if they trim the Eagles’ wings at Ibrox. After they defeat Qarabag in Germany this week, current Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen should join multiple Champions League champions Liverpool and AC Milan.
These obstacles would be severe for Clement’s revitalized Rangers. Of course, there are other possible rivals who could provide a simpler path to the championship that the Light Blues supporters have grown to love.
However, the Premiership gold is currently the prize that the Ibrox legions are most after, and the Gers supporters are beginning to worry that battling on all fronts would come at a high cost to Clement’s team.
When Walter Smith’s team was aiming for four back in 2008, they had to settle for two, and not the two they most desired, as Zenit St Petersburg won in Manchester. Smith’s team then showed up at Pittodrie for a postponed match on the final day of the season on tenterhooks, only to see Celtic take the lead in the league.
Chasing Ibrox immortality in southern Spain, Van Bronckhorst’s broken team also lost up on defending the title that Steven Gerrard had won the previous year.
Due to Clement’s nursing injuries to seven important first-team players, the only thing busier these days than the Gers’ schedule is the treatment room. The evidence points to a need for something to give when stamina levels rise.
But Clement has dismissed any notion that he would trade one tournament for another, so he will keep telling his men to keep moving forward, no matter how far they still have to go. Arthur Numan, a stalwart of Ibrox, only hopes the management can find a way to retain Rangers in the lead.
“The games are coming thick and fast, and that is what you want as a footballer,” stated the Dutchman. Philippe Clement will undoubtedly desire it, even though he’ll want to stay injury-free.
It appears that the medical room is at its busiest ever. We don’t want to add to the vast list that currently exists. However, a player’s misfortune allows someone else to seize the opportunity wholeheartedly. This will be the situation for the second leg of the Europa League match on Thursday.
“I give us a little preference to get through things, but I don’t take anything for granted. We should have the utmost respect for Benfica since they are a talented team. But we appear to be expanding steadily and figuring out how to succeed in the park.
“I’ve been impressed with several players in recent weeks but have to mention John Lundsteam, Mohamed Diomande, and Dujon Sterling,” Numan continued in his 5Stars essay.
They all contributed significantly to the successful outcomes and gave it their all in the most recent games. Each of them has contributed a goal, and it’s encouraging to see midfielders playing a significant role in that area.
They can lead the squad to a successful outcome on Thursday, and I have no doubt that they will do so in the future. All I can hope for is that Dujon’s injury is minor and he plays in every game. We need to win because we travel to Dundee on Sunday after Thursday. We want to maintain our position atop the Premiership.
“We know what is at stake, so this is not the time to ease off the gas. It will be another testing 90 minutes.” To secure an additional crucial three points, the manager will ensure that the team performs at its peak.
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