Sport nationPhilippe Clement, Rangers’ manager, expressed his delight after his team’s impressive 4-0 victory over Steaua Bucharest in the Europa League. The win marked Rangers’ biggest group stage victory in over 20 years.
Pressure Relief
Clement acknowledged that his team needed to bounce back from their recent domestic struggles, particularly after dropping six points behind title contenders Celtic and Aberdeen. “Of course, we were all sick of losing,” Clement said. “The players, the staff, everybody was disappointed. We wanted to stand up together.”
Historic Win
Someone informed Clement that Rangers’ four-goal margin was their largest in a European group stage match since 2004. “I still see a lot of things that we can improve in this game, but I’m happy that everybody can see that there’s potential in this squad,” he noted.
Injury Concerns
Clement provided updates on injuries to key players:
- Cyriel Dessers: The striker stormed off after being poked in the eye but apologized later.
- Leon Balogun: Cramp issues, not considered serious.
- Tom Lawrence: Knee injury after being fallen on; extent uncertain.
Protecting Young Talent
Clement refrained from hyping young player Hamza Igamane, who scored his first goal for Rangers. “I don’t want to start with this hype again or talking players into heaven – and then next week when he misses a chance, kick him down. No, it’s a young player with potential who still needs to learn a lot.”
Igamane’s Adaptation
Clement highlighted Igamane’s language barrier and ongoing adaptation. “He didn’t understand one word of English when he came. He’s taking lessons together with Jefte and Oscar Cortes. These are young boys still adapting to this country.”
Knockout Stage Ambitions
Rangers now have six points from three games, putting them in contention for the knockout stages. Four more points from their remaining five league phase games could secure qualification.
Controversial Referee Decision
A disputed referee call potentially altered the game’s outcome. Jack Butland’s mistake was forgiven due to an early whistle, which Steaua boss Elias Charamboulou discussed with the referee.
Charamboulou stated, “The game might have been very different if the referee had made the right decision. He apologised and said he should have waited before whistling, so VAR could have helped with the decision.”
Rangers’ Future Prospects
Clement emphasized his team’s growth potential. “Like I’ve been saying the last weeks, we need time to get everything together and to get better and better.”
Conclusion
Philippe Clement’s Rangers secured an impressive Europa League victory, relieving pressure and showcasing the team’s potential. As Rangers pursue knockout stage qualification, Clement will focus on nurturing young talent and addressing domestic challenges.
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