Philippe Clement admits Rangers will have to rocket past a Lyon side from another world if they’re to back up their golden Europa League moment in Malmo.
The Ibrox outfit achieved lift off last week as they started the tournament with an impressive win in Sweden. But Clement reckons his side are going to have an altogether bigger test tonight when they welcome Pierre Sage’s big-spending French outfit to Glasgow.
The Belgian boss - who side will host their first continental clash at the refurbished Ibrox this evening - said: “The European nights were the most special nights so I hope to see that tomorrow. But of course, we are also realistic about Lyon. It's a very good team. It's better for me than the teams we met in our group stage last season.
“I think it's the level of Benfica, who we met in the knockouts last year. But if you see the difference in budget and the money they've spent with this squad, and I know a lot of players from this squad still from my time in Monaco, but also the players who they brought in for 20, 25 and 32 million. It's a different world. We know that. But we're going to fight with our qualities towards them, like we did against Real Betis or against Benfica, because it was also comparable in that way.”
Sage’s side boast experienced campaigners like former Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette, Crystal Palace wing wizard Wilfred Zaha and Manchester United ace Nemanja Matic. But Clement is just as wary of some of their younger talents. He said: “This Lyon team has a lot of experience, a lot of players with a really big career, with Arsenal or Matic at Chelsea and Man U, or Corentin Tolisso with Bayern Munich.
“And they have a lot of young, exciting talents also, like Rayan Cherki, who's one of the
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