5 Rangers training headlines as Europa League specialist goes to the well once again as Clement looks for one step beyond
Malmo are the Light Blues first opponents of the league phase as they prepare for trip to Sweden
Connor Barron and Hamza Igamane
The bar has been set high by Rangers when it comes to Europe.
While the money spinning Champions League will always be the target, the Europa League has provided memories that will last a lifetime after their historic run to the Final in 2022. That came 14 years after almost going all the way in the competition’s previous incarnation back in 2008.
It’s therefore a tournament that seems to capture the imagination at Ibrox despite the preference to be playing a level higher. With that comes expectations, which was raised after winning a tough group last year and the eventual knockout defeat to Benfica was more disappointing than it might usually have been given the heroics performed under Gio van Bronckhorst. A new format offers a fresh experience but Gers will still be expected to progress beyond this stage, and can take the first step by beating Malmo in their opening game.
Record Sport has the best images from training at Auchenhowie before Philippe Clement and his squad make for Glasgow Airport.
Europa League specialist
The skipper has come in for plenty criticism already this season, but he tends to come alive in the Europa League. He was the competition’s top scorer Gers went all the way to the Final in 2022 and generally produces big moments when his team need him too on continental duty.
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Swede relief
It hasn’t been the ideal start in the league for Philippe Clement. But Europe offers the chance of a fresh canvas to try and paint a picture of success. The Belgian lead Rangers to the top of their group wit an impressive win away in Seville last term, and they were unlucky in going out to Benfica. He’ll be looking to go at least one better this time around.
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The Barron is back
Connor Barron sampled the Europa ConferenceLeague with Aberdeen last season so has some experience of this type of football under his belt. despite their domestic woe, the Dons performed admirably in Europe against the lanks of Eintracht Frankfurt and PAOK and that should stand the midfielder in good stead ahead of making the step up to the Europa League.
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Souts you sir
John Souttar now has the chance to build up his European pedigree. Despite making 12 appearances for both Hearts and Rangers, more than half of those have come in Champions League and Europa League qualifiers. The group stage proper – or League Phase as it is now – is a relatively new arena for him. Now established as one of the first picks in central defence, he will have the opportunity to really get his teeth into the real stuff now.
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No ifs or Buts
The European stage is one of the reasons Jack Butland joined Rangers. Domestic success has been thin on the ground with just a League Cup to show for what were mostly impressive performances between the sticks last season. That will need to improve, but a chance to test himself outside the confines of the Scottish premiership will always be welcome.
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Rangers FCEuropa LeaguePhilippe ClementConnor BarronJames TavernierJohn SouttarJack Butland
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