Rangers told Benfica are no great shakes as beaten Europa League rivals claim they were there for the taking

Rangers have been told that Europa League last-16 rivals Benfica are there for the taking by ex Liverpool and Tottenham director of football and current Toulouse president Damien Comolli.

Philippe Clement's side hammered in-form Hearts in a 5-0 thrashing at the weekend to remain on top of the Scottish Premiership ahead and move four points clear of champions Celtic. They face a crunch showdown with Portuguese giants Benfica in the Round of 16 with the first leg in Lisbon a week on Thursday.

Benfica qualified for this stage by beating Toulouse 2-1 in the first leg in Portugal courtesy of an injury time penalty from World Cup-winning legend Angel Di Maria. And they clung on for a goalless draw in the return game in France to go through despite struggling Toulouse - who are just one point above the relegation zone in Ligue 1 - laying siege to their goal for most of the second leg.

And Toulouse president Comolli reckons it was an injustice his club didn't make it through to play Rangers instead. He said: "Our manager said we went toe for toe with Benfica, looked them in the eye and matched them. But for the first time, I completely disagree with him.

"We were far better than Benfica. No doubt. People talk about this great Benfica team, but we were stronger than them. If we play like we did in both legs against Benfica, we will be absolutely fine."

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