PHILIPPE Clement has instructed his Rangers players to speak to Slovakian referee Ivan Kruzliak before he makes any major decisions which might damage their chances of winning the Europa League rematch with Benfica at Ibrox tonight.
The Glasgow club had a penalty awarded against them for a John Souttar handball just before half-time in the first leg of the last 16 double header against the Portuguese champions in Lisbon last week.
Replays clearly showed the ball had come off the centre half’s head before it struck his outstretched arm – but German match official Tobias Stieler still gave the hosts a spot kick after viewing a replay of the incident on his pitchside monitor.
Angel Di Maria beat Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland from 12 yards out following the VAR check and the strike enabled Rodger Schmidt’s side to secure a 2-2 draw at the end of 90 fiercely-contested minutes.
Clement felt that his charges could have done far more to protest Souttar’s innocence in the encounter and he has stressed the need to argue their case during training at Auchenhowie this week.
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“Clearly we saw afterwards that it should not have been a penalty,” said the Belgian. “It’s clear because it touched John’s head first.
“But I always try to look at ourselves and what we can do better. There will be mistakes made outside of us, so I spoke to the team about that.
“He is 41-years-old and he played 30 seasons in Europe. But if that happens with him in the same situation he would go to the referee and say, ‘It hit my head first and then my arm’. It’s not streetwise, it’s experience.
“And I know next time that happens with one of our defenders that he will speak with the referee and then he will go to look at the situation in a different way maybe. Or he will ask extra questions to VAR about that to get the right decision.
“It’s not about getting the situation on your side. No, it’s about following the rules. But in that way we did not do that, so I spoke to my players about that. We need to gain experience of those situations.
“Of course, in Europe getting a goal against you like that to get a penalty against you, is a crucial thing over two legs.”
READ MORE: Philippe Clement provides Rangers injury update ahead of Benfica clash
Meanwhile, Clement has admitted that he was surprised when he heard that UEFA are concerned about Dublin’s ability to accommodate fans in the Europa League final if Rangers make it all the way to the tournament’s decider in May – because he is only focused on beating Benfica.
"I heard that on the radio and I was surprised that people are thinking about that already,” he said. "I think it's still a long, long way to go to think about the final. We have to think about Benfica first.
"We are only thinking about one game at a time. For us, I just need my players to give their best and qualifying tomorrow would be an amazing thing. Nobody would have dreamt about that even two months ago, to quality against a team like Benfica. So let is focus first on that."
Clement has Todd Cantwell available for selection again after the English playmaker took part in training at Auchenhowie yesterday – but he stressed the former Norwich City man will not be able to take part in the full 90 minutes.
Elsewhere, Dujon Sterling, who scored in Lisbon last week, is out as a result of the knock he suffered in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter-final win over Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday while Ross McCausland is doubtful.
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