Rangers board desperate as Philippe Clement may buy himself time at Ibrox
Ewan Murray believes Philippe Clement can “buy himself time” as an overhaul of Michael Beale’s Rangers transfer spree last summer may be contemplated.
The board of directors are desperate for the Belgian to deflect pressure as the club’s injury problems continue to lead the headlines at Ibrox.
The journalist has suggested a victory against Aberdeen in the Viaplay Cup final could help prolong the Belgian’s thinking time as the January transfer window looms large.
“Clement is stuck in that managerial conundrum of being unsure whether the sharp upturn in fortunes he has overseen – and with multiple injury issues – can be prolonged or if he needs to overhaul Beale’s work,” he wrote via The Guardian on Saturday (16 December).
“League Cup glory would give Clement breathing space to do precisely as he pleases in the eyes of an understandably content support and a board of directors who desperately need a manager to deflect attention.”
Clinging on
A busy summer transfer window saw the incoming of Jack Butland, Kieran Dowell, Sam Lammers, Dujon Sterling, Abdallah Sima, Cyriel Dessers, Leon Balogun, Danilo and Jose Cifuentes at the hands of Beale.
However, the former Rangers manager was sacked in October following a 3-1 loss to Aberdeen.
Money was thrown about during the summer, and some of those transfers have been disappointing since, especially with injuries causing a lack of depth in several areas for the Gers.
The key area of the pitch that Clement is light in is midfield. The likelihood is that Rangers dip back into the transfer market with the potential for injuries to hinder a successful season in the Scottish Premiership and the Europa League.
There may not be too many funds come January, however, with a lot being spent by Beale. There are several problem players, though. And that needs to be addressed despite not losing a game under Clement yet.
In other Rangers news, a player in Clement’s first team is now being eyed up as a key transfer candidate ahead of the January window.