In order to focus on each game as it comes, Philippe Clement has advised Rangers supporters and the media to set aside any hopes of making it to the Europa League final.
The manager, who currently has the second leg against Benfica on his mind, said that he was surprised to hear people discussing the final already.
Then, Clement said that his team’s qualification for the next round would be a “amazing” accomplishment because, just two months prior, no one would have believed they could defeat Benfica.
The boss acknowledged, “I heard that on the radio and I was surprised that people are thinking about that already,” in an interview with the Daily Record on March 14. Still, a very long way to go.
Rangers’ Europa League matchup with Benfica might be tough
The players know they have a difficult test ahead of them if they are to qualify, as Benfica prepares to trip to Ibrox after drawing 2-2 in the first leg in Lisbon behind goals from Tom Lawrence and Dujon Sterling.
In addition, Clement is facing a number of injury concerns that could prevent him from going to the next round. Important players like Ross McCausland and Sterling are expected to miss the match at Ibrox, which would hurt their chances of progressing.
But it’s important to remember that Benfica’s goals in the second leg were mostly the result of individual errors, first from Connor Goldson’s own goal and then from John Souttar handing away a penalty. That should give them hope.
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