Greedy Philippe Clement won’t want to hear it but Rangers beating Benfica could be worst thing to happen

There is a downside to being regarded as some sort of miracle worker.

Defy defined logic often enough and eventually the temptation to believe that water really can be walked on becomes almost irresistible. And that’s the highly precarious position which is about to confront Philippe Clement, if it hasn’t stared the Belgian down already. Having inherited the equivalent of five loaves and two fish from Michael Beale, Clement is now entering the final phase of an utterly astonishing turnaround campaign. But, over the course of the next couple of days, the Rangers manager may have reason to pause and wonder if beating Benfica on Thursday night might end up being more bother than it’s worth.

If that thought does occur then the chances are it will be quickly dismissed. Clement ‘The Mechanic’ is driven by a deep-rooted desire to win – perhaps at any cost – and it’s this steely mindset which has completely transformed the fortunes of a team which was going nowhere before he got his hands on the wheel.

And one which is now 90 minutes away from the quarter finals of the Europa League, into the last four of the Scottish Cup and sitting two points clear at the top of the Premiership pile. The man in charge could not possibly be blamed for getting greedy when there is so much still on the table. And, having already fed the 5,000, nor should he be. After all, what manager worth his salt would consciously set limitations on the scale of his own ambitions?

And yet, the longer and more remarkable his first season in Scottish football becomes, inevitably the heavier the toll it takes. One look at the queue outside the medical room at the club’s Auchenhowie HQ will remind Clement of exactly that.

He could also fret over the lessons from recent