Philippe Clement insists Rangers are out to make history at Old Trafford – but vowed not to park the bus like Walter Smith did last time they visited the Theatre of Dreams.
The Ibrox side have travelled south ahead of Thursday night’s glamour Europa League clash with Ruben Amorim’s struggling Manchester United side, where a win could see them take a huge step towards the last 16. To do that, however, the Light Blues will have to accomplish a feat they last managed 32 years ago with their Battle of Britain triumph over Leeds. Rangers have travelled to England nine times on a competitive business but their only victory came in that 1992 Champions League qualifier.
Their most recent visit to United’s home patch was in 2010, when then Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson joked his old friend Smith should have been “fined” for deploying an ultra-defensive five-man backline. But Clement – set to welcome keeper Jack Butland into his line-up – is determined to have a go at Amorim’s ropey Reds.
He said: “We have our game plan like we always do. Like I said from the beginning, I’m not somebody who believes in parking a bus in front of goal and hoping that nothing happens and hoping to come one time on the other side and then to score a goal out of that.
“So we will play out of our qualities. But of course, we need to look also at the qualities of Manchester United, like we did in the other European games the last months and like I did before also with other teams.”
Amorim was hired to bring back the United glory days – but it’s been a nightmare start for the former Sporting Lisbon coach, with his team slumped down in 13th place domestically. Clement isn’t paying attention to the negativity floating around United – but believes his side can record a result to remember.
He said: “Don’t worry. I’ve seen all the games. Of course we know what to expect. But the most important thing for my group is to be focused on ourselves and not all the noise around us.
“And the team is doing better and better the last couple of months. That’s what we need to show tomorrow, to write history here. It’s, I think, a very long time ago that Rangers won at an English club.
“So let’s go for the challenge and give everything that we have. And that’s what my team needs to do tomorrow, to be fully focused only on that.”
Keeper Butland has yet to kick a ball for Gers this calendar year after suffering a leg bleed. But the Ibrox No1 – a former Man Utd back-up stopper – is ready to return.
Clement said: “Jack is back training and he feels fit. I never give my starting 11 before the game. But it’s clear what Jack has done before.
“For the club, it’s also very good what Liam Kelly has been doing the last couple of weeks for the club. So I will make a correct decision tomorrow towards that. And I’m happy to have really two good goalkeepers.”
Tom Lawrence is also available after a three-month lay-off – but Clement is still missing a string of key men. Mohamed Diomande is suspended while Danilo, Ianis Hagi, Clinton Nsiala and new signing Rafa Fernandes are all ineligible.
With John Souttar, Dujon Sterling, Nana Kasanwirjo and Oscar Cortes all injured, Clement – who was tight-lipped on rumours Rabbi Matondo is set to sign for Coventry on loan – added: “We will miss quite a few players, I think around eight who could be in the starting 11 tomorrow because of injuries, the European list, suspensions also with Dio.
“But it’s about all teams, all squads digging in together and getting results like they’ve been doing the last couple of months. So it’s not a new situation.”