Rangers: Graeme Souness admits to ‘question mark’ after helping appoint Philippe Clement
Graeme Souness says “the only question mark” regarding the appointment of Philippe Clement is whether the Belgian can handle the “unique” experience of managing Rangers.
The Gers confirmed Clement as their new manager on Sunday (15 October), exactly two weeks on from parting company with Michael Beale.
Former Rangers player and coach Souness played an advisory role in helping to find Beale’s successor and was pleased with the decision to go with Clement.
Writing in his column for the Daily Mail on Friday (20 October), Souness said: “I was part of the process in appointing new Rangers boss Philippe Clement.
“He was very impressive at his interview and gave a great presentation. All you can do is look at his CV, the colour of his eyes and the way he speaks about football, and everything would appear right about him.
“The only question mark – and I’d be saying the same if Pep Guardiola was getting the job – is that managing one of the big two in Glasgow is a unique experience, and it’s how he deals with that.
“The challenge ahead is simple – they’re seven points behind Celtic. He knows the score. You can’t have a good season without finishing first.”
Excitement
The point Souness makes about finishing first is true, although not necessarily in Clement’s first season in charge.
A good season from here would be a domestic cup crown or two, with the hope that results also pick up in the league to at the very least provide hope for the future.
Clement’s CV certainly looks impressive, and the Belgian did well to see off competition from former Rangers player Kevin Muscat, who must have been in strong contention.
The Rangers board deserve credit for getting Souness to help with the appointment process, as he knows what it takes to manage the club and is also more clued up than anyone on the board with regards to current football matters.
You never know just how a managerial appointment will work out, of course, but Rangers fans have every right to feel excited about this new era.
In other Rangers news, Peter Martin has dropped a “10 months” verdict with regards to Clement’s Ibrox tenure.