PHILIPPE CLEMENT believes his Rangers side responded well after a tough week as they progressed to the Scottish Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Hibernian this evening.
John Lundstram opened the scoring in the first-half, before Fabio Silva secured the last four spot with a late finish to see Rangers to Hampden next month.
Speaking to RangersTV at full-time, he said: “It was a difficult game to play, and we knew that was going to be the case. We came out of a massive game on Thursday and that cost us a lot of energy with the tempo of the game against Benfica and also the travelling.
“Hibs had all week to prepare for this physically, mentally, and tactically and we didn't have any time for that, but the team responded well, and we did the right things.
“We stayed cool also in the circumstances with supporters against you and some wild tackles and we didn't go into that game, and we kept on playing our game and then you get the result you deserve.”
With Hibernian reduced to nine-men with two second-half red cards, Clement felt discipline was important for his side.
He continued: “It is massive, it is very important, we have taken lessons in that more and more it is also something I talk about a lot.
“It is about our football, and you see then that you frustrate the opponent more if you play good football and the ball goes around fast and then they become reckless and then they get cards like that.”
Rangers now turn to a crucial second-leg against Benfica in the UEFA Europa League at Ibrox on Thursday, and Clement urged fans to back the team.
He added: “We got two goals tonight, a clean sheet and we are going to the semi-finals at Hampden and there was a great support here so I expect something really special on Thursday.
“I think it is going to be very very important for us to qualify, it is only possible if the fans are totally behind the team for 90 minutes and give a lot of energy against a good opponent like Benfica.”