Kenny Dalglish: Rangers players ‘on trial’ after ‘unacceptable’ results
Kenny Dalglish has slammed the Rangers players after two unacceptable results in recent weeks, claiming they will now be fighting for their futures ahead of the January transfer window.
The Celtic and Scotland legend used Clement’s actions in the Europa League clash with Aris Limassol to prove that is it them who are under pressure rather than the boss.
Draws against Aris and Aberdeen in the last week have ramped up the pressure on Rangers ahead of a massive five weeks in which they will need to step up and earn their results.
Writing in his column for the Sunday Post‘s print edition [3 December, pg 24], Dalglish shared: “Several Gers players were underperforming and the manager could have taken any one of five or six off at that time [against Aris].
“This is a massive five weeks for Rangers and they can’t afford to mess it up, between European qualification and the League Cup final.
“I said last week that Philippe [Clement] was not on trial but the Rangers players were. Given the manager’s actions this week and his explanation on [Todd] Cantwell, I think we can all see that several players are fighting for their futures.”
Players need to step up
Difficult results and tough times are inevitable throughout a season. The job of the players and the management is to limit the number and length of those tough periods, and to bounce back when they face adversity – that job now rests on the players.
Questions being asked of Clement’s management after less than two months in charge is a difficult thing to get your head around, particularly considering he is working with somebody else’s squad – in this case more than the usual cliche given Michael Beale’s wide-scale overhaul.
It is now on those players to do the tasks asked of them by their new boss and to step up and earn their results when the times are tough and the stakes are high as they will be over an important next few weeks for the club.
Key games against Aberdeen in the Viaplay Cup final and the final Europa League group game against Real Betis will be the keys to any future success they may earn this season, and it is on the players to make those results fall in their favour.
In other Rangers news, Four Lads has taken a side in the Clement v Cantwell debate.