Europa League: Clement 'very proud' of Rangers - reaction to draw at Benfica

1. Listen to Sportsound post-match coverage
2. Lawrence heads Diomande cross into bottom corner to give Rangers early lead then Di Maria levels with VAR spot-kick after Souttar handball
3. Sterling soon sweeps in Rangers' second but Goldson heads into own net to gift hosts second-half leveller
4. Sides to meet again at Ibrox next Thursday

G'night

That'll do us tonight, troops.

You'll get more reaction, analysis and be able to give your views on our dedicated Rangers page.

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Until the next time...

'Rangers were close to a miracle' - Clement

More from Rangers boss Phillipe Clement at his post-match presser...

"I'm really proud of the performance, the result remains a difficult one. We were really close to a miracle by winning here as the first team ever in the Europa League. It's a pity to get a penalty like that against us, it's really an unlucky situation.

"It's very harsh. I don't agree with where the game has gone to with the handball rules. As someone who loves football, I have a problem with that rule. The ball is clearly not intended to go to his arm, but those are the rules so we need to accept them.

"We were really close. I am really, really proud of my team. They showed character, solidarity and personality. We scored two really good goals with good football. I am someone who is demanding towards them, but I cannot ask for more from them. They gave it their all, everything and everyone.

"We need to continue like this, if they continue to show the mentality they have the last few months, it can be an amazing season.

"They understand you cannot give away one or two minutes of regrets, it's about being ready and believing in yourself and in your teammates when you go behind. I see the mentality I want to see, and the quality I want to see. I am very happy with what they have shown with and without the ball.

"It's an advantage that the second leg is at Ibrox because if the fans are on top of it from the first second until the last, they can give a lot of energy to the team. If we can eliminate this team, it would be a big, big thing."

What's next for Rangers?

Before next Thursday's second leg, Rangers have a quarter-final to attend to.

They'll face Hibs at Easter Road in their Scottish Cup last-eight tie on Sunday at 17:30 GMT.

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'Nothing to fear for Rangers'

Steven Thompson

Former Rangers striker on BBC Sportsound

Rangers don't have anything to fear for the second leg.

And you'd expect them to create more opportunities at Ibrox. I'd make Rangers slight favourites to go through now.

You can hear more from Philippe Clement on Sportsound right now.

The Rangers manager is currently speaking at his post-match presser.

Clement 'very proud' of Rangers

Rangers manager Phillipe Clement isn't totally satisfied, but he's "very proud" of his side.

"I'm not happy, but we were really close to writing history here," he tells TNT Sports. "I'm proud of my team, though. That is another thing, they showed team mentality.

"We scored good goals, and there were unlucky goals against. You can't jump with hands behind your back, so John [Souttar] can't do anything [for the penalty].

"It would have been amazing otherwise, it was a really strong performance.

"It's a big challenge [next week]. I cannot ask for more than what they gave me today, so I'm looking for the same next Thursday.

"But first, the same on Sunday [against Hibs]."

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Let's hear from the Rangers boss...

Record-breaker Goldson...

Rangers' Conor Goldson has now scored three own goals in the Europa League.

That's the most of any player in the competition's history (since the rebrand in 2009-10).

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When's the second leg?

Next Thursday.

Unusually, the game at Ibrox will kick off at 17:45 GMT.

'They won't like coming to Ibrox' - Lawrence

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Tom Lawrence says Rangers are "disappointed" with the goals they conceded but insists it's very much "game on".

"A good game all round," the opening goalscorer tells TNT Sports. "We're not happy with the goals conceded, but we'll take 2-2 back to Ibrox next Thursday.

"[Mohamed Diomande] did well for my goal, he just dinked it over.

"It's always tough out here, we had to dig deep and the young players warmed to the occasion. They showed how good they are.

"[Phillipe Clement] always keeps a lid on things, he grounds us well. We had a gameplan in place and we stuck to it.

"We created chances we should have done better with. When you score two away from home, you think you're going to win the game

"They won't like coming to Ibrox... game on."

There's supposedly 15,000 of you still in here.

How many of you are backing Rangers to get the job done at Ibrox next week?

Get on those thumbs...

It's unclear at the moment if Rangers will have any of their injured players back for next week.

They'll have this place though...

On European nights, it can be as good as any player.

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'Europe brings out best in Rangers'

Kenny Miller

Former Rangers striker on BBC Sportsound

This Rangers team pose a threat and the European nights bring the best from the players.

The stats

Opta

The last three games between these two in the Europa League have now treated us to 14 goals.

Next week could be a bit mad, y'know.

'It had everything'

Ally McCoist

Former Rangers striker & manager on TNT Sports

A great game of football, it pretty much had everything.

Don't shoot the messenger, but Dujon Sterling has a bit of strapping round his thigh.

Perhaps just precautionary.

FULL-TIME

And it is.

Boos ring around the stadium from the home fans as Rangers earn a fantastic result in Lisbon.

They go again at Ibrox next Thursday.

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Nico Raskin does so well to win Rangers a goal kick and that's surely that...

Frustration from Angel Di Maria as he slides in late on John Souttar.

It wins Rangers a free-kick in their half.

We've played 94 minutes.