Philippe Clement explained captain James Tavernier was omitted from Rangers' 1-1 Europa League draw with Olympiacos due to fear of him playing too many games.
The 33-year-old skipper was utilised as a second-half substitute in a game where Cyriel Dessers cancelled out Ayoub El Kaabi's opener at the Karaiskakis Stadium on Thursday.
It was a call that raised a few eyebrows given the criticism Tavernier has faced this season, but Clement said it was just about managing the experienced full-back's minutes.
In quotes reported by BBC Sport, Clement said: "That's never an easy decision, but I want more than one captain in the group.
"If you come at a certain age you can't play 60 games at the same level. We knew that before the season. It's about competition for spots.
"It's about one team, winning together. That's Rangers - one team, one family, going for one goal."
Rangers now have seven points from four games in Europe's secondary competition, sitting just outside the top eight in the table.
Clement, however, was disappointed not to travel home with the win despite being impressed with the performance.
"A very strong performance as a team, sticking to the plan, being very disciplined and using the spaces," he added.
"Disappointed we didn't win the game, that's the next step we need to take. But I saw a lot of positive things and I need to praise the whole team for that.
"I don't want players happy with a point. We went for the three points and that's the mentality I want to see against any opponent.
"Our midfield was massive today. Our defence was really solid. Jack [Butland] didn't have to make many saves."
Rangers are now unbeaten in their last five away matches in the Europa League (W2 D3), equalling their longest such run in the competition’s history (also five unbeaten between October 2020 – March 2021).
Up next in the competition is Ligue 1 side Nice, who drew 2-2 with Enschede on Thursday.
'Incredible' Amad the difference for Man Utd in PAOK win, says Van Nistelrooy
Ruud van Nistelrooy described Amad Diallo's attitude as "incredible" after he was rewarded for his patience with a match-winning double in Manchester United's 2-0 Europa League win over PAOK.
The winger had not started a game for the Red Devils since October 3 but made the most of his opportunity by scoring twice in the second half following an insipid opening 45 from the hosts at Old Trafford.
Amad's double was his first Red Devils brace, while five of his six goals in all competitions for United have come at Old Trafford.
Interim boss Van Nistelrooy, who has one more game in charge before handing over to Ruben Amorim after the international break, was full of praise for Amad, who also scored his first Europa League strikes since March 2021.
Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: "I think Amad made a difference for us today obviously, because of his goals, but he was sharp.
"I think in the first half he was also one of the few who was at his level. So well done to him, good game.
"He's been incredible (in training) actually, every time he was never affected by not playing, always training, always staying on the pitch, always saying 'Ruud let's do more'."
Amad's second goal was particularly brilliant as he won the ball back deep in PAOK territory, drove forward, and bent a lovely 20-yard effort into the left-hand side of the goal, albeit with a slight aid of a deflection.
Van Nistelrooy added: "He made his own goal. Coming inside with the left, getting inside the far post was excellent.
"But I think this is what made the goal, he won his own duel and then took the shot for the goal."
Diallo's impressive display saw him register more shots on target (three) and touches in the opposition box (10) than any other player on the pitch.
He also completed the most successful dribbles (two), while also competing in 16 duels during the contest, the joint-highest for the Red Devils along with Victor Lindelof.
Diallo himself praised the work Van Nistelrooy has done since returning to Old Trafford as part of the backroom staff under previous manager Erik ten Hag in the summer.
"Since he arrived at Manchester United he has been very important for everyone," he said.
Prior to their victory over the Greek side, United were winless in six consecutive European matches (D4, L2), matching their worst stretch since 1980 to 1983.
It means they have still never gone seven without a win in European fixtures, though Diallo believed their triumph against PAOK was just as important as getting his season up and running.
"It's been a long time since we won in Europe. Today we showed why we are one of the best teams. It was important to win today.
"It is important to score every time. This season I have been unlucky, so I am happy to score two today. But the most important thing was to win.
"I like to celebrate with the fans and make people happy."
Chelsea 8-0 Noah: Ruthless Blues stay perfect after first-half rout
Chelsea continued their quest for the knockout stages of the Europa Conference League by hammering Noah 8-0 on Thursday.
Enzo Maresca's side are one of six sides still with a perfect record in the competition, but sit top of the pile with their superior goal difference following their Stamford Bridge mauling.
Tosin Adarabioyo headed the hosts into a 12th minute lead before Marc Guiu capitalised on Goncalo Silva's loose pass 84 seconds later to double their advantage.
Chelsea notched their third from another corner, this time through Axel Disasi, with another defensive error punished by Joao Felix's deft finish over Ognjen Cancarevic.
Mykhailo Mudryk then netted the pick of the first-half goals with a curled effort into the top corner, with Felix grabbing his brace four minutes before the interval.
It then took Chelsea 24 minutes to get their seventh. Christopher Nkunku saw his initial effort saved by Cancarevic but was able to squeeze in the rebound at the near post.
Yan Eteki then fouled Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the box, with a penalty given after a VAR review. Nkunku stepped up and smashed the ball down the middle for his fifth goal of the competition this season.
Data Debrief: Blues sink Noah's Ark
Chelsea are on a roll in the Europa Conference League and have now scored 16 goals in their three games in the competition so far.
Six of those came in the first half, with their 6-0 advantage at the interval the biggest by an English side at the break of a major European game since Derby County were winning 9-0 against Finn Harps in the 1976-77 UEFA Cup.
The Blues ended the contest with a whopping 5.44 expected goals (xG) from their 31 shots, compared to Noah's 0.61 from their 15 attempts on Filip Jorgensen's net.
Manchester United 2-0 PAOK: Brilliant Amad earns hosts first Europa League win
Amad Diallo scored twice as Manchester United finally earned a maiden victory in the Europa League this season with a 2-0 triumph over PAOK.
The Red Devils drew their opening three matches of the league phase but the excellent Amad netted twice in the second half after a fine individual display at Old Trafford.
The winger was unfortunate not to have a first-half penalty after a trip from Abdul Baba, while his deep cross for Rasmus Hojlund was headed straight at the goalkeeper from close range.
Andre Onana then tipped Mady Camama's dipping half-volley over shortly before the break but Amad broke the deadlock when he brilliantly looped his header over Dominik Kotarski from Bruno Fernandes' delivery.
Andrija Zivkovic almost responded immediately before Alejandro Garnacho had strong shouts for another spot-kick from Jonny Otto's challenge waved away before Amad tested Kotarski one-on-one.
United had a huge let off when Tarik Tissoudali was left unmarked in the area and woefully straight at Onana, but Amad settled any nerves with a brilliant bending 20-yard effort into the left-hand side of the goal with 13 minutes remaining.
Data Debrief: No Greek tragedy as Amad ensures there's no unlucky number seven
Prior to their victory over the Greek side, United were winless in six consecutive European matches (D4, L2), matching their worst stretch since 1980 to 1983. It means they have still never gone seven without a win in European fixtures.
Moreover, it maintains a formidable home record against Greek opposition for United, who have now won seven straight matches on their own turf against teams from Greece at an aggregate score of 22-1.
Amad was, of course, influential in the victory and his opening goal marked his first in the Europa League since netting against Milan on March 11, 2021.
It marked his first ever brace for United, while five of his goals across all competitions for the club have now come at Old Trafford.
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