PHILIPPE CLEMENT was thrilled and proud to see his players beat Hearts 2-0 in the Scottish Cup at Hampden and book their place in the final on May 25.
A double from striker – and man of the match – Cyriel Dessers was enough to give the Light Blues a full-deserved win over Steven Naismith’s Jambos and the manager was delighted with his players’ efforts.
Speaking to RangersTV post-match, he said: “Yeah of course and it’s also my job to see the things we can do better and there were still a few, but it’s a step forward again.
“We were more brave on the ball, better on the ball and more movement without ball also than in the last two games. After that we were also more tough in the duels in a better structure and organisation, which is what we talked about this week also.
“We see the normal phase of the team, it was not yet our best game but it’s normal because we have players coming back from injury and we need to make changes every time, every three games when we have so many games.
“So, they need to get their rhythm back but it’s very pleasing to see the guys that started and the guys that came on also to have this energy.
“At the end of the game we should have kept the ball in a better way or to kill off the game, there was too much losing balls without a chance and then the counter attacks, so we need to avoid this in the future.
“I think he was [Leon Balogun] was massive today, he played a really good game in the coaching and in the duels with his hunger and desire, so I know I have four really good centre-backs and this season they have all played. That is a thing for the next couple of weeks as a team performance and all going forward together in this chase for the title.”
Clement praised Dessers after his fine brace and also Todd Cantwell after he provided two clever assists.
He added: “Todd is taking steps month by month and Cyriel is scoring his goals and is also becoming stronger. I think these six months playing here are the best six months he has had in his career now, so we are going to work hard with him now to make him better and better. I see more and more the things I want to see from a striker.
“I’m looking forward to [the final]. We have good memories from Hampden and our hunger for trophies is so big, with the staff, with the players, with the fans, with the board, with everybody. So are we going to push really hard over the next couple of weeks to win as many trophies as possible.”