Rangers: BBC pundit makes new title admission after Ibrox development this week
Rangers might feel that their chances of lifting the SPL title have slightly improved after being knocked out of the Europa League by Benfica on Thursday (14 March), according to Rory Loy.
Speaking on the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast on Friday (15 March), the pundit said he doesn’t believe the Gers players will have any problem moving on from the 1-0 defeat against the Portuguese champions as they still have a lot to play for this season.
He added that the standard of the teams left in the competition would have made it “very difficult” for the Light Blues to reach the final as they did a couple of years ago, highlighting how Sparta Prague got “absolutely demolished” in their 6-1 defeat to Liverpool in the second leg at Anfield as an example.
“I don’t think they’ll have any problem moving on, they’ve got so much to play for between now and the end of the season and I think, realistically, if you look at the teams left in the Europa League, it would have been very difficult for Rangers to progress to the final like they did a couple of seasons ago,” said Loy.
“They are top of the league by a couple of points and they’ve got the Scottish Cup to play for as well. I don’t think they did themselves a disservice last night. I thought they performed okay back to middle, just lacked a little bit up top. I don’t think there was enough in the game.
“You look at Sparta Prague, who were in Rangers’ group going to Liverpool and getting absolutely demolished. That’s the type of result that could take the wind out of your sails and that’s the type of club standard that’s left in the tournament. Rangers did pretty well over the two legs and showed Scottish football in a decent light against a very good side.
“I don’t think this will affect the mood in the camp too much at all, it’s a nice bonus to have is what I would say. But come the end of the season, when it comes to lifting the Premier League trophy, Rangers might feel that their chances of doing that and that being the aim has slightly improved.”
Rangers can focus on domestic honours after Benfica defeat
It was a blow for Rangers to suffer a narrow defeat against Benfica, but they can be proud of their performances over the course of the tie.
They went toe-to-toe with the Portuguese champions on their own turf before one lapse in concentration at Ibrox saw them bow out of the Europa League.
But the Gers’ chances of lifting the SPL title have improved after they were knocked out of the competition because they are probably too thin on the ground to compete on three fronts with the current injury situation.
Clement shouldn’t have any problem in refocusing his players as there is still so much to play for this season and he appears to have instilled a winning mentality into his side.
The Light Blues will be desperate to go and respond with a victory over Dundee on Sunday (17 March), ensuring they remain top of the table heading into the international break.
In other Rangers news, Keown has raved about an underappreciated Gers star after what he’s seen.
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