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. There is still a very long way to go before the final.
“First and foremost, we must consider Benfica. We only have one game on our minds at once. All I want of my players is their absolute best effort; qualifying would be fantastic.
“Nobody would have dreamt about that even two months ago, to qualify against a team like Benfica. So let us focus first on that.”
Benfica knows they have a difficult test ahead of them if they are to qualify, as they prepare 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.
Since replacing Michael Beale, Clement’s team has advanced remarkably both domestically and in Europe because to his emphasis on taking each game as it comes, and supporters will be hopeful that this approach can see them through.
Read more on sportchannel.co.uk
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