Philippe Clement revels in playful Rangers answer that underlines Betis threat as personal Isco reunion revealed

The long Avenida de la Palmera that stretches past the Estadio Benito Villamarin is lined on both sides by vivid orange trees in full bloom.

The picturesque setting could not be more fitting for a Rangers side about to embark on a vital week that they hope will also bear substantial fruit. It’s not so long since the streets back in Glasgow dotted around Ibrox were drained of all confidence in this Light Blues team.

Frankly the notion that it was capable of plucking anything from the bunch of prizes on offer this season looked far fetched as they slipped on banana skin after banana skin. But thanks to Philippe Clement’s careful cultivation since he was called in to replace Michael Beale two months ago, there are green shoots of recovery emerging for the Light Blues. And the fruits of their labour could yet be juicy. Win tonight in Seville and they’ll be into the last 16 of the Europa League, back it up on Sunday against Aberdeen and there will be Viaplay Cup glory to lap up at Hampden.

And if they can maintain their resurgence under the big Belgian all the way to their Old Firm date at Celtic Park on December 30, then there might just be a second bite at the cherry where the Premiership title race is concerned. All Clement’s side have to do is continue planting seeds of success.

“I feel something special in the group,” said the Ibrox boss. “I feel there is a really good dynamic. I’ve seen it the last few weeks and I see it growing in this dressing room and on the pitch.

“I’m very excited but I’m also calm and focused. When you are too excited, you lose control, you lose overview. That cannot happen. The most important thing is that the players keep on doing what they are doing.

“Did I think I’d have it this soon? To be