Rangers rollercoaster sees Benfica veer off the track as Clement taps into Europa League traditions - 5 talking points

Rangers earned a battling 2-2 draw in rain-lashed Lisbon to hold a slight advantage against Benfica in their bid to reach the Europa League quarter-finals.

Tom Lawrence had the Light Blues in dreamland with an early headed opener in the Estadio Da Luz but Angel Di Maria levelled from the spot in first half injury time after John Souttar’s handball but unbelievably the visitors restored their lead before the break through Dujon Sterling. But Connor Goldson’s own goal in the second half restored parity to ensure it’s all to play for at Ibrox in the return.

Benfica - whose incredible unbeaten home record in the Europa League was under real threat on a action-packed night - were reeling from successive domestic defeats and Clement admitted pre-match that he expected a “storm”. The home side were certainly quick out of the blocks and Jack Butland was forced to pull off a big early save to deny David Neres.

But it was the Light Blues who incredibly grabbed the opening goal with just seven minutes on the clock. Fabio Silva, back in his homeland and at the club where he spent a couple of years, was involved and fed the ball to Mohamed Diomande who picked out Lawrence to steer his header home and send the visiting support wild.

The Estadio da Luz wasn’t full and the majority of those inside made their feelings known having been looking for a reaction. They would have had something to cheer, though, it it wasn’t for Butland who pulled off a remarkable double save to deny Brazilian Neres and then Arthur Cabral from the rebound. Benfica threw everything at the visitors but they stood firm and Butland was in inspired form between the sticks, denying Neres again just before half-time - albeit it was the Englishman who gifted