Rangers manager Philippe Clement has praised the collective effort of his squad as they continue to progress in both domestic and European competitions.
Reflecting on recent performances, Clement highlighted the importance of squad depth during a time where he has been without several key individuals due to injury, suspensions, and registration issues, noting how several players have stepped up when called upon.
Ross McCausland is the latest example after he impressed with a solid display as right full-back in the team’s recent Europa League victory over Union Saint-Gilloise, a result that helped Rangers finish in the top-eight of the league-phase and guarantees a last 16 spot.
“It’s really been a squad performance the last couple of months,” stated Clement.
“If you see how many players have played and had an important role, like yesterday with Ross McCausland coming in as right full-back, doing that role and doing it really well for the team.
“He had a really important say in where we ended at the end of the road and almost all the squad have been important in one game or in several games.”
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As Rangers prepare for the next stage of the Europa League, Clement spoke of the challenges faced along the way, particularly in terms of tough opposition.
The Light Blues boss noted that Rangers had played the most difficult opponents in the league-stage, facing four of the top eight teams, while many others had fewer encounters with top-calibre sides.
“We were by far the team who played the most difficult opponents, if you see it, at the end of the road,” Clement explained.
“We were the only team in this top eight who played against four other opponents.
“A lot of them played only against one or not even one of the top eight. That's a big difference.
"So that's a major thing. And also with all the absentees, of course, and we really had to puzzle and to puzzle deeply into the squads to get the results, but everybody rigged in.
“And we get also the points we deserved. It was every game we created a lot of chances. I think we scored the second most goals.
“There are only two teams who scored more goals than us in this group stage. So a lot of positives to take out of that.”
Anderlecht, Bodo Glimt, Fenerbahce, and Twente are Rangers' possible opponents, but Clement insists that he has no preference and wants to return his focus to Scottish Premiership duties for the time being.
He said: “No, I'm not suspicious and I know out of the past, if I think about one team for sure, it will not be that team. So that's my experience in those things.
“So no, we will see what we get. And we need to switch our minds fast now towards the competition again to focus on that."
