Rangers manager Philippe Clement declared them underdogs for the first time since taking over after being drawn against Benfica in the last 16 of the Europa League.

The Premiership leaders will travel to Portugal for the first leg on March 7, with the return fixture at Ibrox a week later. Benfica and Sporting Lisbon are tied for first place in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, despite having played one more game.

Clement, who took over the Ibrox hot seat from Michael Beale, has led Rangers from seven points behind Celtic to two points ahead of the Hoops at the top of the Scottish Premiership before of the visit of third-placed Hearts on Saturday. He viewed the European fixture as challenging but winnable.

“It is a really exciting challenge because it is a very good team,” said the Belgian manager, who said midfielder Todd Cantwell will be out for three to four weeks with a hamstring injury, while forward Kemar Roofe returns to the squad after another lengthy absence due to injury.

“I believe it will be the first time in my tenure that we have been underdogs in a game. That’s the reality.

“I don’t consider ourselves underdogs versus Celtic. I view us as two clubs at comparable levels competing, which is different from Benfica.

“I saw them last season against my previous team, Club Brugge, and they were really outstanding (7-1 on aggregate). However, this does not preclude us from qualifying.

“We believe in our abilities, and with the mentality that exists in this group right now, we can beat anyone, but we must be at our peak condition and have luck in crucial moments of the game.

“Of course, European nights are important for the club and its stature, but you must be realistic.” You need to compare your budget, what you spent, and the value of your squad.

“So in that way Benfica are in front of us but there is a really special story developing here and there is a lot of motivation, hunger and desire and with that we can do really amazing things so that is what we are going to try to do in those two games.”