Rangers: BBC pundit predicts Philippe Clement could face Ibrox sack talk within one month
Kenny Miller believes Rangers manager Philippe Clement will be “under pressure” at Ibrox as early as next month if his new side fail to overcome Hearts in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals.
Rangers officially confirmed Clement as Michael Beale’s successor on Sunday (15 October), ending their two-week search for a new boss.
The Gers have seven matches to play between now and the next international break in a month’s time, including that showdown with Hearts at Hampden Park on 5 November.
Prior to the appointment being made official, Miller warned the new man at the helm may start feeling the heat early in their tenure if that match – or the subsequent final against either Aberdeen or Hibernian – ends in defeat.
Writing in his Daily Record column on Sunday (15 October), BBC Sportsound pundit Miller said: “The first job at hand is to win league games – by hook or by crook – and then get your hands on that first trophy.
“There will be expectation right from the off to beat Hearts in a semi-final then Aberdeen or Hibs in the final.
“If he doesn’t do that, he’ll be under pressure. He’ll have to be ready for that. They’re hanging in there in the title race but that’s all.
“They’re a long way back but it can be salvaged. With significant improvement. Anything less and it’s gone.”
Win games
It is harsh to suggest Clement will come under pressure from Rangers fans so early into his rein, but Miller does have a point.
This is already a crucial period in the campaign for the Gers, as they aim to stay in the hunt for three different trophies over the coming weeks.
Nothing will be decided in the Scottish Premiership or Europa League just yet, whereas the cup semi-final with Hearts is very much do-or-die.
Winning the Scottish League Cup, with that final set to be held a week before Christmas, would be an easy win for Clement.
Defeat to Hearts, though, or indeed Aberdeen or Hibs in the final, and it will be a crushing disappointment for the head coach.
The task at hand is a simple one: win games. That starts with the visit of Hibs in the league on Saturday (21 October), with that the first chance for supporters to greet their new boss.
In other Rangers news, journalist Alison McConnell dropped a “danger” warning ahead of the Gers’ managerial appointment announcement.