GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JULY 18: A general view during the pre-season friendly match between Rangers and Newcastle at Ibrox Stadium on July 18, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Philippe Clement is well aware that his team will put everything on the line this weekend to defeat Hibs in the Scottish Cup quarterfinals.
He doesn’t think his players will be distracted by their hangover from the Europa League and thinks they will be focused on playing Nick Montgomery’s Hibees rather than Thursday’s second leg against Benfica at Ibrox.
Speaking to the media following his team’s admirable 2-2 draw at the Estadio da Luz, Clement expressed his desire for his Rangers to continue their amazing run in UEFA’s second division.
Rangers will start as the small favourite against Govan next week, as they are just one win away from the Europa League quarterfinals.
Tom Lawrence and Dujon Sterling gave Rangers the lead in Lisbon, but Connor Goldson’s own goal and a contentious Benfica penalty kept them from scoring.
Now, Clement is adamant that his injured team will bounce back from Thursday night’s pressures in Portugal and give it their all to advance to Sunday’s Scottish Cup quarterfinal.
On the Hibs Scottish Cup test, Philippe Clement
In response to a question about how different Hibs will be from Rangers’ 3-0 victory in Leith a little over a month ago, Philippe Clement said, “Yeah, they can be different, but we are also different.”
Thus, we will investigate that thoroughly. For the following two days, we’ll monitor everyone’s progress and work hard to advance to the semifinals because this is a crucial match.
“They obviously have a lot of belief since I’ve read that they were really unlucky in their last two games against us. Therefore, our goal is to qualify there and do well.
The same reporter then inquired as to Clement’s confidence in his team’s ability to concentrate on the Hibs match rather than the eagerly awaited Benfica return leg.
The manager of the Rangers remained unwavering: “Yes, absolutely. Without a question. Throughout the entire season, my squad has put in a lot of effort and hasn’t stopped.
“They were present for the League Cup Final a few days after the (Real) Betis game, which is good evidence of that. My team is eager to bring home more championships.
“We know we have to play a really good game against Hibs because it seems like they are desperate to defeat us.”
