The Familiar Ache of a European Exit
For the Ibrox faithful, it’s a sickeningly familiar feeling. The roar of a packed stadium under the European lights, the tangible belief that this time will be different, followed by the slow, crushing deflation as a familiar script plays out. Thursday night’s 1-0 defeat to Benfica, sealing a 3-2 aggregate loss in the Europa League, wasn’t just a knockout blow; it was another spin of the wheel in a continental game of chance that Rangers seem destined to lose. It was European Groundhog Day all over again.
Clement’s New Dawn Meets an Old Frontier
The bitter irony is that this was supposed to be the season the cycle was broken. The arrival of Philippe Clement has been nothing short of transformative. The Belgian manager picked up a team in disarray and forged them into a relentless domestic machine. He delivered the League Cup, hauled them to the top of the Premiership table, and instilled a sense of belief and resilience that had been absent for years. This was the “New Dawn” in Govan, a period of renewed optimism where anything felt possible. And for long stretches against a formidable Benfica side, that optimism felt justified.
Yet, Europe remains the final frontier, the unforgiving stage where fine margins are brutally exposed.
Fine Margins and the Recurring Nightmare
Over two legs, Rangers went toe-to-toe with a team dripping with Champions League pedigree. They were organised, spirited, and at times, dangerous. But when the decisive moment arrived, it was the old frailties that reappeared. A single lapse in concentration, a moment of hesitation, and a world-class player like Rafa Silva provides the clinical, ice-cold finish. That, in a nutshell, is the difference at this elite level. It’s not about playing badly for 90 minutes; it’s about one critical moment where the opposition’s superior quality punishes you without mercy.
This is the recurring nightmare. Think back through recent European campaigns. The gallant run to the final in Seville was the glorious exception that, perhaps cruelly, proved the rule. More often, the story is one of falling just short against the likes of Slavia Prague, Malmo, or now Benfica. The team huffs and puffs, the Ibrox crowd provides its thunderous soundtrack, but the house of European dreams is ultimately blown down by a sliver of extra quality.
A Domestic Treble Remains the Prize
The “New Dawn” under Clement is real. His impact on the domestic scene is undeniable, and the primary objective of reclaiming the Scottish title remains firmly within their grasp. A potential domestic treble would still mark a phenomenally successful first season. But last night was a stark reminder that conquering Scotland and conquering Europe are two vastly different challenges. The continental ceiling for this Rangers side, for now, remains stubbornly in place.
The journey continues, but the destination seems as distant as ever. The fans will dust themselves down and go again, starting with Dundee on Sunday. They will do so, however, with the lingering, bitter taste of a European dream deferred, wondering when, if ever, they will wake up to a different day.
