Rangers: BBC journalist wowed by ‘crucial’ Jack Butland v Benfica as transfer claim made.
Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland was named Man of the Match as the club drew with Benfica on Thursday (7 March).
According to BBC Sport journalist Martin Dowden, the Europa League round of 16 first leg ended 2-2.
The visitors’ goals came from Tom Lawrence and Dujon Sterling, while the hosts got one from Angel Di Maria and an own goal from Connor Goldson.
Dowden picked Butland as the Player of the Match for Rangers, citing the team’s strong collective performance.
“Mohamed Diomande did it again, the defenders mostly held steady, but goalie Butland made several vital interventions that laid the groundwork for this result. He remains, arguably, the season’s best signing.
Jack Butland shines as Rangers escape Benfica with an amazing 2-2 draw.
Butland continued his remarkable time at the club by playing the full 90 minutes at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon and keeping his team in the tie.
The goalkeeper will be frustrated to have conceded twice, but it was always going to be a difficult evening for the Ibrox side, who can be pleased with their performance and outcome ahead of the second leg.
Lawrence opened the scoring for Scotland in the seventh minute, but Di Maria equalized in the first half stoppage time from the penalty spot.
However, Sterling scored immediately after, adding to the tension of the first 45 minutes.
However, the home team tied the game again after the hour mark, when Goldson shot past his own goalkeeper.
Philippe Clement’s team must swiftly turn their attention to a crucial Scottish Cup battle with Hibernian, with the two clubs meeting in the quarter-finals on Sunday (10 March) at Easter Road.
All eyes will then be on Ibrox, when Benfica visits Glasgow for the second leg of their European clash on Thursday (14 March).
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