Jack Butland admits Rangers needed to change manager after Michael Beale sack
Jack Butland has revealed some players at Rangers, as well as the club as a whole, needed the change in manager after Philippe Clement took charge of his second game.
Clement’s opening game as Gers boss came in a 4-0 win against Hibernian at Ibrox, but the 0-0 draw with Sparta Prague in the Europa League would have been a sobering blow to bring them back down to earth.
Butland has shared that the new boss has impressed him already during his short tenure, with changes already being made although Clement is cautious not to change too much too fast.
Speaking to RangersTV after the Europa League draw, Butland shared: “[Clement has been] Really good. It’s been a fresh start for everyone. Some boys needed it and I think as a club we needed a change, which is obviously what the club thought as well.
“I’ve been impressed by the new manager and the way he carries himself and the points he’s got across so far. I know there’s a lot more he wants to work on but he’s conscious of giving us too much right now.
“We’re taking on board what he’s trying to get over to us and doing a good job of it. It’s been a good start and it’s up to us to make sure that continues.”
Early changes are clear to see
There is an added steel and confidence to this Rangers team already since Clement’s arrival. Whether that is something he’s changed or the players trying to impress their new boss time will tell, but it’s certainly a positive.
On another night, perhaps under Beale’s stewardship, Rangers would have lost that game convincingly. A poor first half saw them peppered with shots, but the defence didn’t bend nor did it break and they eventually came away with a clean sheet.
On the pitch there are clear tactical changes too, a more direct and counter-attacking style has been adopted with the pace up front key to the attacking moves, but injuries and differing circumstances limited their threat.
Clement will improve this squad more and more over the coming weeks as he implements his ideal style, and judging by Butland’s comments, the players are buying in.
In other Rangers news, here are three things we learned from the 0-0 draw.