Clement wary of threat posed by big-spending Lyon as Rangers prepare to step up a level in Europa League
Philippe Clement has warned that Rangers are taking on a Lyon side from a different financial world as they seek to maintain their perfect start to the Europa League campaign.
Victorious in Malmo last week, the Belgian’s men face a French outfit currently sitting 11th in Ligue 1 after winning just two of six matches this season on the back of finishing sixth in their homeland last season.
Dismissing the notion that Pierre Sage’s side aren’t the force they once were, though, former Monaco manager Clement believes an expensively assembled outfit will test his players as much as any visitor to Ibrox in recent times.
‘It’s a very good team,’ he said. ‘It’s better for me than the teams we met in our group stage (last year).
‘I think it’s the level of Benfica, who we met last season. If you see the difference in budget and the money they’ve spent with this squad...
Clement says Lyon are an improvement on the teams Rangers have faced in Europe this season
Former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette will lead the line for the visitors at Ibrox
Nedim Bajrami leads the way in training and the Albanian will be a key figure for Clement
‘I know a lot of players from this squad still from my time in Monaco, but also the players who they brought in for 20, 25, 32million. It’s a different world.
This Lyon team has a lot of experience, a lot of players with a really big career, like in Arsenal (Alexandre Lacazette) or (Nemanja) Matic in Chelsea, Man United or (Corentin) Tolisso in Bayern Munich.
‘And they have a lot of young, exciting talents also, like (Rayan) Cherki, who’s one of the stars of French football, but also the new wingers with (Malick) Fofana, (Earnest) Nuamah. (Wilfred) Zaha also has a big reputation.
‘They have two squads with quality players, so that’s always exciting to see what our qualities can show against them. I’m looking forward to that.’
Rangers have enjoyed some successful nights in this competition over the past six years, with the run to the final in 2022 the highlight.
Having topped a group containing Real Betis, Aris Limassol and Sparta Prague last season before being narrowly beaten by Benfica, Clement is keen to build on the recent trend.
‘It’s a totally different competition than the domestic games,’ he added. ‘It gets the best out of the players. It gets the best out of the crowd also.
I think the European nights are the most special nights also, so I hope to see that tomorrow.’
Despite Lyon’s obvious strengths, Clement is adamant that he won’t give them any more attention than any domestic side Rangers play.
Former Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha is a clear and present danger for the Ibrox men
‘I have respect for every opponent,’ he explained. ‘There’s no difference in time (spent analysing) in that way.
‘Of course, there is a difference in the things you train on, in the things you work on, in the details you want to give to the team. That’s every time different.
‘But I have the same respect for Ross County as for Lyon, so we will always take all the time for every opponent.
‘It’s important that my players also respect every opponent because, otherwise, in one moment, you run into the wall if you’re not humble and you’re not focused on every detail.’
With ten points the estimated total to secure progression, Clement knows another win tonight would edge Rangers closer to that aim.
‘Yeah, that would feel huge, but also winning against Lyon would be a huge thing,’ he continued.
‘Even a draw would be a very, very good result, if you see the difference in budget that they can spend on transfers.
Lyon boss Pierre Sage faces the media but knows his side will do well to take all three points
‘We go for the three points. Not to play only to get one point. But then we need everybody on top, we need a few players who go above their level and to have an amazing evening with the fans, being like a 12th man outside the pitch.’
Stressing the need for fans to remain patient as European football returns to Ibrox, the manager said: ‘Yes, it’s an important thing in that way.
‘You felt it also in the second half of the last game (Hibs) and it had a lot to do with this penalty, just before half-time, so it makes everybody nervous.
‘The players need to stay calm on the pitch and not to go in those emotions because, otherwise, we start to play kick-and-rush football and the fans will not be happy with that also at the end.’
Mohamed Diomande is back in contention. Ridvan Yilmaz is back in training but not yet ready to play.
