Philippe Clement’s European record revealed as Rangers boss eyes smashing through glass ceiling

Philippe Clement cruised through his first domestic test as Rangers boss with a thumping win over Hibs in his Ibrox dugout debut – and now the Belgian turns his attention to Europe.

The Light Blues face Sparta Prague in their third Europa League Group A clash with all four teams in the section sitting on three points after a win and a loss each. It’s a competition the 49-year-old is familiar with having managed in it with Genk, Club Brugge and Monaco. Rangers fans are dreaming of the final in Dublin next May having gone all the way to Seville just 17 months ago.

Rangers fans wanted an experienced manager after the appointment of a rookie boss in Michael Beale failed spectacularly and in Clement they have a manager with Champions League football on his CV. But how has he fared in Europe? Here, Record Sport looks at his complete record in continental competition.

Having joined Genk midway through the previous season from Beveren, he guided them into the Europa League for his first full campaign in charge. Clement propelled Genk into the Europa League group stage after negotiating three qualifying rounds. They impressed as they beat Luxembourg minnows Fola Esch, Lech Poznan and then an incredible 9-4 aggregate win over Brondby in the play-off round. And they topped a tricky group, suffering just one defeat in a section with Malmo, Besiktas and Sarpsborg 08, to secure a last-32 place where they went down 4-1 to an emerging Slavia Prague.

A Jupiler Pro League title win in his second full season at Genk saw them qualify directly for the Champions League group stage but Clement opted to return to his former side Club Brugge - and he steered them into the tournament proper. They defeated Dynamo Kiev and Austrian side LASK to