George Overhill

Sat 21 October 2023 9:40, UK

Philippe Clement needs to win the Viaplay Cup to ensure his time in charge at Rangers has a chance of being successful early on, according to Kris Boyd.

The Sky Sports pundit said in his column for the Scottish Sun (20 October) that two wins to lift a trophy could be “they key” to the Belgian’s reign, after he was appointing to replace the sacked Michael Beale.

With fans’ patience already worn out with most of the squad Boyd suggested they would be in the firing line more than the manager if the cup isn’t secured, but highlighted the primary early task as the way to lift pressure from the Clement era and help him head into the January window with credit to make changes.

Boyd wrote: “If that happens, there would be a feel-good factor around the club and suddenly the players would have a spring in their step.

“Yet, given Rangers’ record in knockout competitions over the past decade, that remains a pretty big if. If Clement and his men don’t deliver rumblings will continue.

“Most of the pressure will be on the players, who are repeat offenders when it comes to not delivering on the big occasion.

“However, Clement knows exactly what he signed up for. And he will know delivering a trophy could energise this group.

“It would also ensure the new gaffer a smoother run to the transfer window, and the possibility of bringing in some of his own signings.”

Reset

In many ways Clement’s requirements this season will be very much the same as Beale’s were, albeit he will get slightly more leeway in the short-term.

But not a great deal since the fanbase are unlikely to be content to sit and wait for another year to go by and the same cycle to continue.

The three-time Belgian title winner can’t be held responsible for the summer transfer window, which appeared to tick all the boxes of Beale’s plans but has fallen apart spectacularly.

But he will have been given the job on the expectation that he can improve the current squad first and foremost, before he gets the chance to add any of his own.

With Celtic out of the cup it might seem like a done deal to some that Rangers march through and take advantage, but a major inability to capitalise on any slip ups at Parkhead has now ended two manager’s time in charge.

Boyd is right that the players will bear more responsibility than the new manager if some long-awaited silverware isn’t secured, but it would instantly use up a big proportion of the patience he is due in a similar way to his predecessor last term.

In other Rangers news, the manager appears to have already made an important call after meeting the players amid transfer exit speculation.