Philippe Clement expressed satisfaction with Rangers’ 4-1 victory over Nice in the Europa League, describing it as their finest display this season.
The team dominated the first half with goals from Vaclav Cerny, Mohamed Diomande, and Hamza Igamane, capitalising on defensive lapses by Nice. Igamane added another goal early in the second half before Badredine Bouanani’s free-kick reduced the deficit for Nice.
This win propelled Rangers to eighth place in the 36-team standings, surpassing Tottenham. Mats Hummels’ equaliser for Roma helped Rangers secure an automatic spot. This marked only the eighth time Rangers scored four or more goals in a major European away game, a feat last achieved against Borussia Dortmund in 2022. “We did big performances in Bucharest and Malmo too but knowing the level of this this is probably the best performance of the season,” Clement stated.
Clement highlighted that despite being early in the season, his young squad has shown significant improvement. Many players are new to the club and have quickly adapted to their roles. “Young squad, new players, many on the pitch today who have not been at the club for long. We have become stronger and stronger,” he added.
Clement praised Hamza Igamane for his impressive performance, scoring twice on his first start in this competition. With Cyriel Dessers benched, Igamane seized his opportunity by assisting Cerny’s opening goal and creating three chances. He also had eight touches in Nice’s penalty area, more than any other player. “He came in with an injury and missed preparation,” Clement noted.
The manager acknowledged Igamane’s lack of experience at this level but commended his technical contributions to the team. “We’re working hard with him to make him stronger but also technically doing the right things for the team,” Clement explained. He emphasised that young players need resilience to thrive on big occasions.
Focus Shifts to Domestic League
Rangers now turn their focus to the Scottish Premiership after a 1-1 draw with Dundee United. They sit third in the league table, trailing Celtic by 11 points. Clement hopes their victory over Nice will boost their domestic campaign. “We need to win,” he stressed.
Clement insists on maintaining high standards and expects his players to remain motivated for upcoming matches against St Mirren and Livingston. “I don’t want to see players in satisfaction mode,” he concluded, urging them to strive for continuous improvement.