Rangers v Benfica: ‘Quite incredible’ Ibrox prediction amid disbelief on Philippe Clement
Derek Ferguson is “anxious” but confident that Rangers can overcome Benfica thanks to the fear factor of playing in front of the Ibrox fans on a European night.
Philippe Clement heads into the second leg of the Europa League last 16 tonight (14 March) after a strong 2-2 draw in Lisbon last week amid an extensive set of injury problems, but Ferguson has backed the quality of the manager and the effect of the home crowd to edge a tight encounter.
The “quite incredible” Glasgow atmosphere in a European night is expected to be crucial, and the former Gers midfielder hopes it will negatively effect the visitors, while admitting it is “unbelievable” where the manager has brought Rangers since he took over.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News he said: “I’m anxious. I’m always confident with Rangers at home and the confidence comes from the manager we’ve got at the helm.
“But I don’t know. You need to go to a European game, at night, at Ibrox. It’s quite incredible. The players, do they get a lift? Absolutely, it’s incredible.
“So you hope that puts a wee bit of fear into the opposition because they’re still a good [side]. I don’t think they performed at their best, obviously, Benfica. They’re still a threat, they’ve got good players.
“We’ll have to be at our absolute maximum best tonight and I think we can achieve that because of the fans. The fans bring that out in us.
“It’s going to be tough, it’s going to be tight, and I think we’ll just edge it, which will be incredible with everything that’s gone on injury-wise, the start of the season, that we could be in the quarter final. Unbelievable.
“Am I confident? I am confident that we’re going to do it. I’m pretty anxious but I think we might just do it, so fingers crossed.”
Rangers backed to beat Benfica in front of special Ibrox crowd
There were numerous special nights at Ibrox two years ago under Giovanni van Bronckhorst on the run to the final in Seville, where big European clubs were overwhelmed.
It will certainly be tough but there is a feeling behind this side under Clement that something is building, with one trophy won and three more challenges under way.
One of those could end here but after a draw away at Benfica and an excellent win at Real Betis to top the group the Belgian has already shown he can get important results in this competition.
In other Rangers news, bids are expected to be in the works for a key Ibrox man currently in the spotlight.
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