Rangers supporters planning to travel to Portugal for the Europa League first-leg clash against Benfica have been dealt a major travel blow.

Club officials have confirmed no official club flight will head to Portugal for supporters wishing to back Rangers next month.

Rangers take on Benfica in the last 16 of the Europa League with the first leg on March 7 in Portugal before a return to Ibrox the following week.

But, no club flight for supporters will head to Portugal after discussions with the club travel partner revealed travel would not be feasible.

An official communication on X, formerly Twitter, from the club supporter liaison account cited aircraft availability and the subsequent "unreasonable cost implication" as reasons for no official flight being arranged for fans.

The post read: "Following dialogue with our travel partner, it has been confirmed that an official club flight for Benfica away is sadly not feasible.

"This is due to aircraft availability and what would be a subsequently unreasonable cost implication for supporters."

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Meanwhile, Ibrox chiefs slammed UEFA after the home leg at Ibrox was scheduled to kick-off at 5.45pm instead of the later 8pm slot.

Officials had appealed to UEFA for the match to be moved to the traditional 8pm time but it was rejected due to "broadcaster commitments".

A club statement read: "Rangers, on behalf of our supporters, are disappointed to have learned our Round of 16 Europa League home match with Benfica, on Thursday March 14, will kick-off at 17:45.

"Despite a robust case being made to UEFA for the fixture to be played in the traditional 20:00 slot, it is instead to begin significantly earlier, primarily due to broadcaster commitments, and thus likely cause significant inconvenience and disruption to our supporters.

"The club fully sympathises with our loyal supporters for the additional sacrifices they may need to make to attend the match, with this issue falling totally outside of our control."