George Overhill

Sun 29 October 2023 10:10, UK

Rangers should record a “comfortable” victory against Hearts at Ibrox this weekend after getting a “good point” in Europe during the week, according to Tam McManus.

The former Hibs forward said on PLZ Soccer’s Preview Show on 28 October that Philippe Clement’s side look “solid” defensively with two clean sheets from two since the Belgian took over and he expects a straightforward 2-0 home victory on Sunday (29 October).

Alan Rough feels that there is pressure on Jambos boss Steven Naismith and after they defended badly in a 4-1 loss to Celtic last weekend can’t see anything other than a Gers victory at Ibrox, also going for a 2-0 result.

McManus said (8m): “[Clement’s] given them a run to have a look at them. I think defensively they look pretty solid, two clean sheets they’ve had. I don’t know how they got one the other night against Sparta Prague but they got one, and they got a good point.

“The breeds confidence amongst the defenders so at home against Hearts you’d expect Rangers to win. I don’t think Hearts will make it easy for them but I’m going to go for a comfortable 2-0 Rangers win.”

Rough added of Hearts: “Going to Ibrox and getting a point would be a start but the way they defender last week I can’t see it either, 2-0.”

Building

Whatever happens in Europe Clement will know that he has to make sure Rangers are strong domestically if he wants to keep his job longer than Michael Beale or Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

The Europa League draw was a decent result in the end even if the performance fluctuated greatly, but back in Glasgow for an SPFL fixture he will want more of the same after the 4-0 dispatching of Hibs in his first game.

Clearly supporters want the team to perform on all fronts but it has been league form that has undercut everything in the past two years as Celtic were allowed to run away with the title.

Beale’s start to the season has once again given the Hoops a head start, but there are some tentative signs that Clement might be able to get more out of the overhauled squad.

If he puts together a strong run of results over the next couple of months, and crucially if he succeeds in lifting the League Cup after arriving with Rangers in the semi-final, he can go into his first Old Firm derby with some confidence built up.

That game will likely be the measure by which he will be judged to start with, but he can’t head into it struggling after bad results elsewhere.

In other Rangers news, Clement has been mooted to make a possible bid for rival’s star man after his comments this week.