Rangers vs Hibs ‘needle’ mooted as Philippe Clement points ‘loaded’ comments at Easter Road
Rangers’ trip to Easter Road in the Scottish Cup to face Hibs could be set for some “needle” after Philippe Clement’s words in the build up, according to The Times.
Michael Grant wrote for the paper’s website on 9 March that the Belgian’s comments ahead of the quarter final clash on 10 March felt “loaded” after he had dismissed the idea that Edinburgh side had been “really unlucky” in the past two meetings.
Rangers won 4-0 at Ibrox on 21 October in Clement’s first game in charge and secured a 3-0 victory at Easter Road on 24 January.
Clement said: “I have read that they were really unlucky in their last two games against us. I read [that]. My team is hungry to win more trophies and we know we need to play well against Hibs because they are really hungry to beat us. Apparently.”
Grant’s assessment: “The choice of words felt a little loaded. Easter Road is always perceived as one of the hardest venues for Rangers and one of the toughest draws they could get in either of the cups. In fact, Rangers are unbeaten there in 12 visits.”
Weakened Rangers must be on form to keep up streak at Hibernian
Nick Montgomery’s side will no doubt be desperate to get some payback after the past defeats in what were two of the best results of the season, but would hardly be gearing up to be a pushover either way.
Although the shock defeat at Motherwell last weekend brought the excellent run of wins to a halt in the league Rangers bounced back with a strong 2-2 draw away to Benfica in the Europa League, that could have been even better were it not for a controversial penalty and a daft own goal.
The injury list is extensive but Clement has shown he is not afraid to rotate his squad and players stepped up in Portugal, including Dujon Sterling who scored his first for the club playing in an advanced role.
Whoever gets the nod for the Sunday cup tie will need to follow suit because there is no let up at this stage of the season with the Light Blues still fighting on three fronts to add further silverware to the Viaplay Cup.
Hibs are unbeaten in five across league and cup and are always a tough proposition, but Clement has found a way to get the best out of his side in both his meetings so far.
So while his words ahead of the game may owe as much to speaking in a second language as anything he could perhaps be excused at being slightly irked that the performances were seen as lucky.
In other Rangers news, the Light Blues have got their eye on a midfield goal threat who has impressed this season.
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