A spine-tingling video from Rangers has got fans buzzing for the Round of 16 Europa League visit of Benfica at Ibrox.
Rangers are set to welcome the Portuguese giants to Glasgow with a 2-2 draw in the first leg leaving the clash at Ibrox very finely poised.
Ibrox has been a fortress for Rangers on Thursday nights over the last few seasons and the club’s supporters have a duty to bring the noise once again against Benfica.
But if the club’s sell-out support needed any more motivation for the clash, just look at this emphatic Europa League hype video Rangers have uploaded to their socials.
If that doesn’t get you hyped for this Europa League clash, then we don’t know what to tell you.
Philippe Clement rallies the Ibrox troops
Rangers manager Philippe Clement has also been speaking about the role of the Ibrox crowd in overcoming Benfica in the Europa League.
The Gers support has the power to give their side a boost of extra energy and that’s not been lost on the Rangers manager who had rallied the troops.
“The hunger is really big, and we know we need to play above our level to qualify but we are going to do everything to do that and with the support of the fans that can give something extra,” said Clement.
“Our fans are amazing, they give so much energy to the team and that can help them go above their level. Whether it’s to make a final sprint, to block a shot, to make a decisive action and that’s what I am counting on also, that the fans from the first second until the last second go full for the team.
“It is going to be a really interesting game and both teams will play to win. This game was sold out really fast, although it is a really early kick-off, and a lot of people have to take a day off work to get to the stadium, but we could’ve sold the stadium two or three times so that shows already how much support there is from the fans and how they are really excited for this game.”
Would Rangers over Benfica top the lot?
Over the years, Rangers have had some almighty results in the Europa League at Ibrox and Benfica will know it heading into the game.
The reputation of the atmosphere at Ibrox precedes itself and if the Portuguese club are expecting anything other than a frenetic, impassioned, decibel-level breaching stadium then they’re in for a shock.
But with several big clubs being toppled by Rangers in recent seasons – including FC Porto, RB Leipzig and Feyenoord – but would defeating Benfica top the lot?
As far as talent goes, the Portuguese club paid around £120m more than Rangers to assemble their squad and are arguably the most talented side we’ve faced.
But can anything top that night John Lundstram scored to send the club to the Europa League Final?
