Philippe Clement makes frank Rangers admission ahead of January transfer window
Rangers manager Philippe Clement has admitted his favourite part of the January transfer window is when it finally comes to an end.
Clement has made a very strong start to life at Ibrox and will no doubt be eager to strengthen his squad next month.
That could in turn mean players heading for the exit, all of which makes for a disruptive period in the eyes of the Belgian boss.
“It’s always a busy period for managers and clubs,” he told Sky Sports News [5 December, 09:52].
“It doesn’t mean that a lot of players are coming in and out. Anything can happen until the final second.
“To be honest, I’m always happy when it’s the first of February. It’s always a hectic period because players doubt whether to stay or come.
“There’s talks also with players’ agents, so it’s a busy period, but our focus firstly is on December.”
One out, one in?
The good news for the Rangers board is that Clement has worked wonders with the group of players he inherited from Michael Beale.
Given the flexibility Beale had, and the money he – let’s face it – wasted on certain players, the purse strings will likely be tightened in January.
It is widely felt that it could be a case of one player out and one in next month as the Gers ensure they do not spend above their means.
Rangers did some smart business in the January window last season by bringing in Todd Cantwell and Nico Raskin.
More of the same would be nice this time around, and plans are already no doubt in place ahead of the window opening on January 1.
Clement will just be focusing on events on the field, by which point he may already have a trophy to his name.
After a hectic summer, a quieter winter window awaits, but that is not to say it cannot be a successful one.
In other Rangers news, Clement has opened up on his plans for January.