Sport

Rangers: BBC journalist wowed by ‘crucial’ ace v Benfica, ‘signing of the season’ claim made

Published

7 months ago

March 8, 2024

Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland was the Man of the Match as the club played out a draw with Benfica on Thursday (7 March).

That is according to BBC Sport journalist Martin Dowden, with the Europa League round of 16 first leg clash finishing 2-2.

Tom Lawrence and Dujon Sterling scored for the visitors, with the hosts on the scoresheet through Angel Di Maria and a Connor Goldson own goal.

“So many Rangers players delivered in an impressive collective display,” Dowden wrote for BBC Sport as he named Butland as the Player of the Match.

“Mohamed Diomande did so again, the defence, largely, stood firm but goalkeeper Butland made some crucial interventions that delivered the platform for this result. He continues to be arguably the signing of the season.”

Jack Butland shines as Rangers leave Benfica with impressive 2-2 draw

Butland played the entire 90 minutes at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, producing a top display to keep his side in the tie, with his impressive spell at the club continuing.

The goalkeeper will have been disappointed to concede twice, but it was always going to be a tough evening for the Ibrox outfit, who can be very happy with their performance and the result ahead of the second leg.

Lawrence gave the Scottish side a dream start with his opener in the seventh minute, although Di Maria then levelled the tie from the spot in first half stoppage time.

That was not the end of the drama in the opening 45 minutes, however, with Sterling netting shortly after.

But the home side tied things up once more after the hour mark, when Goldson put the ball past his own goalkeeper.

Philippe Clement’s side must quickly turn their attentions to a huge Scottish Cup clash with Hibernian, with the two clubs going head to head in the quarter-final on Sunday (10 March), with Easter Road hosting the meeting.