Philippe Clement asked if Malmo Europa League clash will have any bearing on starting XI vs Dundee
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Philippe Clement has an important week ahead of him, perhaps like any week as Rangers manager.
But the following seven days are crucial for two reasons. His team return to Ibrox on Saturday and a big crowd will be expecting Rangers to progress to the Premier Sports Cup semi-final stage.
Getting knocked out by Dundee is inconceivable as it means one less trophy available to add to the cabinet across the season.
And with Celtic massive favourites to retain their Scottish Premiership crown, the cup competitions become doubly important for Clement.
Secondly, his side make their debut in the Europa League league phase against Malmo on Thursday and getting off to a positive start versus a side ranked 182nd in Europe is vital.
- READ MORE:Rangers Europa League Record Since 2017
Clement dismisses Europa League talk for now
So with European football looming for Rangers, one reporter tried to lure Clement into discussing the Malmo test before the Dundee meeting this weekend.
But the Belgian was having none of it. Asked if he will be looking forward to next week’s European game when picking the team against Dundee on Saturday, Clement replied: “None because it’s five days apart.
“If it is two days in between then that is something else. If it is two or three weeks in a row every three days, you need to look more in-depth with that. No, not really.
“You cannot put priorities here. You cannot throw away any competition because Europe stays also important for this club, it’s the image of the club also.
“If we only invest in our domestic games and we just throw away the European games, it will not be good for Rangers for the reputation outside. It will not be good for Scottish football’s reputation also if you throw away results.
“And also for the value of players it’s also important. If they perform really well in Europe, their value increases. So all the competitions are important, we cannot put differences in that.”
Rangers Europa League league phase fixtures
If Philippe Clement isn’t thinking about the Europa League just yet, then we’ll just remind you of what Rangers have in store for them on the continental stage.
In some ways, it looks like a Champions League draw considering the clashes against Manchester United and Tottenham. Lyon, too, won’t be pushovers this season.
- Matchday 1 – September 26 – Malmo vs Rangers
- Matchday 2 – October 3 – Rangers vs Lyon
- Matchday 3 – October 24 – Rangers vs FCSB
- Matchday 4 – November 7 – Olympiacos vs Rangers
- Matchday 5 – November 28 – Nice vs Rangers
- Matchday 6 – December 12 – Rangers vs Tottenham Hotspur
- Matchday 7 – January 23 – Manchester United vs Rangers
- Matchday 8 – January 30 – Rangers vs Union Saint-Gilloise
