Benfica issued two-word Rangers warning as Premiership star names 3 Ibrox dangermen who hold key to progress

Hibs star Jair Tavares has warned former club Benfica they will feel like the Rangers fans are on the pitch playing against them because of the “electrifying” atmosphere at Ibrox.

Rangers host the Portuguese giants in the second leg of the last 16 clash after an entertaining 2-2 draw in Lisbon last week. Easter Road wide man Tavares came on as a sub against Rangers in Hibs’ Scottish Cup quarter final defeat at the weekend and also played at Ibrox earlier this season when Hibs crashed to a 4-0 defeat.

He came through the Benfica youth system and was a regular for their B team before moving to Edinburgh two years ago. And he advised his former teammates to brace themselves for playing at the Ibrox cauldron, in an interview in his homeland. He said: “Benfica will be faced with a frenetic and electrifying atmosphere. These are the most accurate words to describe Ibrox.

“Rangers fans are extremely loud and passionate about the club. They don’t shut up for a second, always supporting the team, from the beginning to the end of the game. Sometimes it even feels like they are on the pitch playing against you. I expect an extremely tough game for both sides.

“After the first leg, either team could qualify now, although I can still see some advantage for Benfica, even though it’s not easy to play at Ibrox. Rangers have Fabio Silva who played a great game against us. He is an extremely dangerous player.

“You can tell he’s self-confident and, when that’s the case, things come naturally. Rangers are a physical team who always tries to increase the intensity of the game, at all times. But they are very good in short combinations of passes. I don’t know if there is much to say when it comes to their weak points, although I think this is a team that, when under pressure, tends to lose possession of the ball.

“The captain, James Tavernier is their main player who stands out. He is experienced, physically strong and extremely attacking. In set pieces, he is excellent. Then John Lundstram is the midfield enforcer. He is also very physically strong and controls all the rhythms of the team’s game. They played the exact same team against us as they did in Portugal because they treat the Cup very seriously in Scotland. It was tough for us because we had two men sent off.”