Brilliant Ridvan is becoming a Rangers' warrior - Stevie Clifford

Benfica are a Champions League level side - even if they didn’t cover themselves in glory this year they were certainly a formidable proposition.

Yet from asking for everything from everyone, do we have a legitimate case to be a little bit disappointed?

First of all, I feel pride. To put in that shift against a top side is fantastic and we have come a long way. The players gave it everything and were dead on their feet as they hurled themselves in front of the ball time and again.

There is disappointment over the quality of goals we lost. The second was completely preventable and a costly mistake but the first just unfortunate from a handball. Nobody, even the referees themselves, seems to know how the rule is implemented.

I’d have bitten your hand off at a 2-2 draw beforehand and given the flow of the second half and the effort of the players, you can only be delighted with it overall.

There were plenty of questions heading into that game.  If we had folded on the back of a defeat last weekend then questions begin to mount. That's especially true if we have to play the Portuguese next week sandwiched in between that really difficult Sunday trip to Easter Road. It had the potential to be a tricky run of results if Rangers hadn’t proved their character once again under this manager.

After that defeat at Parkhead plenty of criticism was given and plenty were written off. But eleven straight victories and a rise to the top of the table was enough to suggest this team do have something about them and have the drive to bounce back from a blip. The Motherwell game was just that, as disappointing and difficult as it was, but the response has been excellent.

Several players continue to grow, the goalkeeper is producing saves and performances that continue to make him a firm favourite. Beyond that, people are beginning to whisper his big match moments are up there with the very best our club has had.

Then there is the left back from Turkey, Ridvan Yilmaz, who is turning into our very own warrior. He’s very rarely exposed or beaten in attack but has added resilience and determination to his performances in a Rangers shirt. The player we were told he was, an exciting, young full back, is now shining through, his game now hardened by a Scottish-style grit that we didn’t know he had. He has been terrific. In fact, last week against Kilmarnock, fans were screaming for his half time introduction and lamenting the fact he didn't start. That speaks volumes. 

The Rangers fans milk their fans' applause (Image: Getty)

Then there is big Dujon. The big man is a solid team player whose versatility is helping the team out immensely. Against Benfica he was again out on the wing but worked endlessly and tirelessly for the team, drifting in and scoring to top it all off. It is his determination and drive that will take this team to where it needs to be.

But I could mention them all. The captain defended with everything, especially in the second 45. Souttar bounced back from Saturday with a heroic performance. Lunny and the returning Lawrence gave us everything. Fabio Silva arrived in a Rangers jersey out on the wing, filling in and putting in a terrific shift. We had eleven warriors and a bench ready to give it all also.

READ MORE:  How Rangers rocked Benfica and can complete Europa miracle

We are led by a man who told us all he didn’t have a ‘magic stick’ and gives his players all the credit every time. A man who clearly understands the demands of this historic and storied club. He drives Rangers on to new heights.

The last part of this season will require everything from everyone, from the pitch to the stands. We may have played our get-out-of-jail-free league card but now we have to kick on all over again.

Hibs will be a massive test and they will smell blood after that effort tonight. But we have to go after them just as we did in Portugal and we have to give everything just as we did in Portugal.

Ibrox will be bouncing and a loud European night awaits us, but it’s Hibs next and that's our only focus.

Just as the gaffer demands, it's very much one exciting game at a time.