Philippe Clement admits that the Rangers have work to do to ensure a place among the top eight of the Europa League after a painful late defeat against Manchester United.
Chasing Ruben Amorim's billionaire team after a goal at Jack Butland's own door, Ibrox's team was on the way to get a point when the substitute Cyriel Dessers scored the tie in the 88th minute. The anguish followed when the United captain , Bruno Fernandes, scored the victory goal in the added time.
The defeat caused the Rangers to fall to the 13th place in the table, while the United rose to the room. The first eight classifieds pass directly to the round of 16 and, although UEFA confirmed that the place in the play-off is assured, Clement has now requested a great effort in the last game of the group against Union Saint-Gilloise in Ibrox El El Next Thursday.
“To be in the top eight we need a great effort against UNION and we need luck with the other results,” said Rangers coach, when play-offs approach.
“It's about concentrating on getting points against Union and doing the things we have to do for this club, and being ambitious in each game to seek victory.”
Dessers, goal of clubs in France and Italy, was devastated when his draw was nothing after a defensive error of Jefte in the added time allowed Fernandes to score.
Philippe Clement felt frustrated to losing the Rangers after they cornered United in Old Trafford.
The United captain, Bruno Fernandes, arrives home in the discount time to give United the three points.
The gate of the Rangers, Jack Butland, is disconsolate after putting the ball in his own goal.
“I saw everyone in the costumes disappointed for having lost after playing that kind of game,” Clement added.
“It is clear that you want to win, you want to get the points you deserve but, on the other hand, I am also very proud of what the team has done today. Comply with the plan, follow the tactics until the end and also have very young players In the field “.
Clement, who already lacked eight players from the first team, lost Leon Balogun and Vaclav Cerny due to injuries at rest. By launching the fray to adolescents Bailey Rice and Findlay Curtis, Captain James Tavernier had to go to the central defense.
“We had to make two changes in the break, placing the players in positions where they normally do not play,” said the Belgian.
“There were many difficult circumstances, but the team remained compact, well organized and brave with the ball because we created enough opportunities.”
“In the first half we had the best opportunities to take the lead and, in the second half, we were left behind when Manchester United played better than us. But we did not stop believing and we continued playing and going for this goal.
“Then it is really disappointing to lose the second goal at the end. But there were also positive signs in this young group, with eight players who could not be headlines here.
“Really young boys entered the countryside and threw themselves for the colors of the club. The other experienced boys that surrounded them supported them at all times. “
With Jack Butland playing his first 2025 match after a New Year's health problem, Clement He refused to blame the former number one of England for putting the ball in his own goal from a corner.
“Jack also saved us sometimes in the second half, so it is the life of a goalkeeper,” said Rangers coach.
'I'm not going to focus solely on that. There are many positive points in what the team did with the ball, playing at Manchester United in the circumstances in which we are at this time. And be so brave with the ball and create so much. ”
The United coach Ruben Amorim, considered that his team in trouble deserved a very necessary home victory after a header from Matthijs of Ligt was annulled controversially in the first half.
“I think it was just for us to win a game, a game that we already knew was difficult,” he said.
'We started well. I think the rhythm of the game helped us because it is different, it shows.
“We tried to do things, we were better with the ball, sometimes we controlled well at the beginning and then we lost it for seven minutes due to some bad passes and some transitions.
“But I think we created the best opportunities to win the game and I think we deserved to win.”