At this stage of the season, every game is a big game and Rangers last 16 Europa League tie with Benfica is no different.
Gers boss Philippe Clement won’t prioritise one competition over the other and will approach the finely poised tie as if it was any other and he will have his squad fully fired up for the win.
The odds aren’t quite stacked against Rangers at Ibrox but Benfica will be favourites, although there are a few reasons why fans should be optimistic.
Why Rangers fans can be positive against Benfica
Ibrox baby, it’s just different.
We’ve seen and witnessed what can happen on a Thursday night at the famous old ground.
How many favourites have we seen turn up expecting to win and leaving with their tails between their legs?
A quarter of the teams in the last 16 have all tried, and failed, to beat us on our own patch such is the strength of our home form in the Europa League.
It’s an extra 10% that will give the whole squad a lift.
Cyriel Dessers is due a goal.
We all know how streaky the big Nigerian can be and he’s not scored for a few games now.
It might not exactly be scientific but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him score from nothing but also miss an easier chance on the night.
The other factor is our set pieces.
When was the last time we scored from one?
It’s not a law of averages thing either.
Every game, either Connor Goldson, John Souttar or one of our other attackers are getting decent chances to score.
There would be no better time for one of them to find the back of the net – at the right end of the pitch.
There is also the small detail of Benfica needing a dodgy penalty and an own goal to draw in the first leg.
They can’t be that lucky again, surely?
