Philippe Clement hailed the bravery of his young Rangers team as he lamented the ‘sucker punch’ of a late Manchester United equaliser.
The Rangers manager was speaking to RangersTV after the 2-1 Europa League defeat to Manchester United and was ‘gutted’ about losing the match at Old Trafford.
Rangers thought they’d rescued a point when Cyriel Dessers scored a stunning late equaliser after Jack Butland had punched the ball into his own net.
But Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes popped up at the back post to break Ibrox hearts at the Theatre of Dreams.
Philippe Clement praises academy duo
Philippe Clement was full of praise for his young players following the defeat to Manchester United.
Rangers wound up with four academy players on the park as injury ravaged the Gers squad heading into the trip to Old Trafford.
Two of those players in particular – Bailey Rice and Findlay Curtis – were singled out by Clement come full-time.
The Rangers manager hailed the youngsters for coming into the game against Manchester United despite only really having experience of academy football.
“It’s for everybody and also for the players it’s very double mixed feelings,” Clement told RangersTV.
”Gutted by losing and for sure by losing at the end of the game when you come back and the team showed so much mentality.
”But I’m also very proud about what the team has done today, in the organisation, in the structure, several of them, young guys coming in who only have experience with the academy and giving everything.
”And creating the chances and coming back also after going behind so about mentality you cannot ask more, for sure not.
”They did a really great effort today so it’s a pity that you don’t get the reward then at the end because it would’ve given them a totally different feeling than now.”
Rangers manager laments Man United ‘sucker punch’
Despite the result, Philippe Clement has revealed the young Rangers players involved in the match are ‘positive’ about their progress.
The Gers manager claims that it would’ve been ‘easy’ for his team to fold against Manchester United but they dug in to almost earn a point for the club.
Clement also reckons that a point would’ve been just dessert for Rangers, who now face a major task to qualify automatically for the last 16.
“They feel positive in the club with the chances they get,” said Clement.
”They get a lot of support from the staff, also from the senior players.
”So you see this is a group that sticks together in all the circumstances.
”It’s easy to go behind 1-0 against Manchester United and losing belief when you are with so many young players on the pitch who don’t have the experience of playing at this level.
”But the team never doubted and kept on going to score the goal.
”We scored a very good goal, very good finish of Cyriel.
”And then it’s a pity that we take this sucker punch at the end because the team deserved more today I think.
“A draw would’ve been a correct result.”
