Simon Jordan and Graeme Souness clash live on talkSPORT over Rangers interest in Frank Lampard
Simon Jordan and Graeme Souness have clashed live on air over Frank Lampard’s suitability for the Rangers job after the Scotsman revealed his stance on Philippe Clement.
The Englishman was one of the names in the running following the sacking of Michael Beale earlier this season, with Souness suggesting that he would be a better fit for the Light Blues than Clement before the Belgian was offered the job.
However, Souness has now suggested that he was never advocating for Lampard to be given the job but did suggest that he would have been a good fit for the Ibrox club, while Jordan didn’t believe he was worthy of the role.
Speaking on talkSPORT (4 December, 11:13) Souness said: “That’s not entirely true. I didn’t say I was advocating for him. I think it was a narrow thing. The only advantage that Frank had over the manager who got the job was he may understand the West of Scotland a wee bit more.
“I think Philippe understands the demands of that job. I felt that Frank was angry and hurt so that’s a dangerous animal when it’s hurt and I saw Frank as somebody that would have done a good job as well.
“Whether he deserved it or not, this is a guy that’s got as much money as he’d ever need, a guy who’s been punched on the nose in his time managing down here. He had a point to prove, Frank doesn’t need it. “
Jordan disagreed saying: “It cannot be that just because he’s got some enthusiasm that he gets a job because he’s got lots of money. That’s like suggesting Warren Buffett doesn’t get up in the morning because he’s a billionaire.”
Gone the right way
As soon as Lampard’s name was linked with the vacant Rangers manager position, supporters were against the Englishman as a potential new boss given his failures during his time in the Premier League.
While Rangers supporters would typically back Souness’ decision-making, it feels like he was wrong to give Lampard the edge over Clement considering just how well the Belgian has started since taking over at Ibrox.
The Light Blues remain unbeaten under their new boss and while they had a large wobble against Aris Limassol in the Europa League, most of the performances under his management have seen a marked improvement from what was seen under Beale.
Had Lampard been appointed there is every chance he would have similarly improved Rangers’ fortunes in the early stages of his tenure, but Jordan’s idea that enthusiasm alone should not have seen appointed is a much more sensible view than that of Souness.
In other Rangers news, the Ibrox club’s AGM is set to be tense after Clement’s latest decisions in Glasgow