Angel Di Maria raves about Rangers as Benfica icon reveals intel and talks up Ibrox star among 'Europe's best'

Benfica star Angel Di Maria says they’ll have to get past one of the best goalkeepers in Europe if they want to beat Rangers.

The legendary Argentine winger is refusing to under-estimate Philippe Clement’s side ahead of their Europa League last 16 clash. And Di Maria hailed Ibrox keeper Jack Butland as one of their key men for Thursday night’s first leg in Lisbon. The 36-year-old insists the Portuguese league leaders need to get past the Englishman at home to give them a chance of progressing in Glasgow a week later.

Di Maria said: “Rangers wasn’t the best opponent for us in this draw but at this stage, every rival is complicated. We have the first match at home so we’ll need maximum concentration to get a good result. It will be decided in Glasgow but we have to go there with an advantage. I don’t predict many goals in this tie. We have watched Rangers and they have an excellent squad.

“The keeper, Butland, is one of the best in Europe. They have the experience of James Tavernier – and Fabio Silva will be super-motivated for this match. If we control the ball against Rangers, I’m convinced we can score goals. But this will be a big battle for us. We wanted to be in the Champions League but our challenge now is to reach the Europa League final.”

Meanwhile, Benfica skipper Nicolas Otamendi believes the tie with Rangers could have been a potential Europa League FINAL if they hadn’t been paired together.

The former Man City centre-back said: “Because of my career, I know British football and Rangers won’t be an easy rival. But we have enough experience at this level to qualify. Maybe this match could have been the Europa final. So it’s a pain that one club must go out.

“A 2-0 score for us would be excellent for us as it