Rangers quelled growing unrest in the stands and silenced mounting criticism of Philippe Clement with a timely victory over an understrength FCSB side in their third Europa League league phase match at Ibrox tonight. The Glasgow club’s supporters had reacted furiously to the 1-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Sunday – a result which left them six points behind Celtic and Aberdeen in the William Hill Premiership table. Many of them even demanded that Clement be sacked in the aftermath of the reverse in Ayrshire.
However, the Belgian oversaw a convincing win, which was secured thanks to a Tom Lawrence opener, a Vaclav Cerny double and a Hamza Igamane strike, over the Romanian champions in Govan this evening to the delight of the home crowd. With more demanding tests coming up against Olympiacos, Nice and Manchester United away and Spurs and Union Saint-Gilloise at home in the weeks ahead, it was vital that Rangers prevailed in this outing. They increased their chances of reaching the knockout rounds in impressive fashion .
Here are five talking points from the one-sided encounter. Euro specialist Welsh internationalist Lawrence is far from a prolific scorer for Rangers. Indeed, his early goal this evening took his total tally in the three seasons he has plied his trade at Ibrox to 11.
But European football clearly brings out the very best in the playmaker. He was on target against Lyon earlier this month and has previously netted against Be.
