Rangers’ goal of encouraging European success will be put on hold, according to Philippe Clement, so that the team may focus on Sunday’s Scottish Cup match against Hibernian.
The Light Blues’ 2-2 draw with Benfica in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 match in Lisbon on Thursday night means that there won’t be much rest for them; the second leg will take place at Ibrox the following week.
The Premiership leaders are currently getting ready for their matchup with the Hibees at Easter Road in the final eight, where Clement thinks they will focus “200 per cent.” Without a question.
The Belgian manager stated: “My team have been working hard all season in that way and never stopped.” His team defeated Hibernian 4-0 at Ibrox in his first game as the Govan club’s manager in October of last year and 3-0 in Leith in January.
“A good example is that they were present in the Viaplay Cup final, which they won 1-0, a few days after the Real Betis match (in December).
“My team is eager to take home more titles, and we know that in order to defeat Hibs, who seem to be quite hungry to defeat us, we must play well.
“We will monitor people’s progress over the following two days and work hard to advance to the semifinal because it is crucial.
“I’ve read that the past two games they played us, the Hibs, were incredibly unlucky. Clearly, they have a great deal of belief.
“So it is about us getting a good result there and qualifying.”
All of his players’ efforts in Lisbon were something Clement was proud of, but he gave special recognition to Portuguese attacker Fabio Silva, who was on loan from Wolves and had returned to the club where he had spent two years in the junior system, for his excellent performance on the left side.
“Fabio is growing,” he stated. At age 21, he is still a young player. Before he arrived at Rangers, we had numerous conversations about his position and potential possibilities.
We discussed him as a striker and as a player who could play around the striker or on the left side. He demonstrated his abilities in this game and can play all of these roles.
“You can see that he feels like he fits in with the team and has adapted into it rather rapidly. He brings a lot of enthusiasm and a smile to the team when he plays.
He possesses his traits and is becoming increasingly adept at managing his feelings. That was something we discussed a lot—that’s the next thing he should do.
“Considering how he managed the hostile environment and intense attention he received during the Lisbon game, I am really pleased with his performance. To prove to everyone that he is a talented player, he nevertheless played for the team.
“It’s important to me that he played to be a good player for Rangers.”
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