Anthony Onifade

Thu 21 December 2023 20:10, UK

Rangers chairman John Bennett must now be ready to let the cash go at Ibrox after Philippe Clement was left with more injury worries after their win against St Johnstone.

The Gers followed up their Viaplay Cup success by beating 10-man St Johnstone to move within two points of Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic after a 2-0 success on Wednesday (20 December).

However, the Belgian coach was left raging after the game as key midfield veteran John Lunstram limped off in the first half after a dreadful challenge from Diallang Jaiyesimi for which he was deservedly sent off after a VAR intervention.

The Gers went on to record their 12th win in 15 games under Clement’s management stretching their unbeaten run but the question remains whether it will be sustainable given the injury crisis at Ibrox, with Kemar Roofe also coming off injured again.

After last night’s game, Clement vented his frustration again at the situation.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, (via Rangers Review, 20 December), he said: “We need to make an assessment on the injuries tomorrow. I didn’t see him directly after the game. It’s another player who is kicked off the pitch, so I am frustrated with that.

“This for me is my main concern after the game – again a player was kicked off the pitch. I’m not sure we can get him back before the winter break so that’s not a good situation.

“I don’t want to go in on emotions after the game, I am a little boiling so it’s better to cool down and make opinions about leagues or whatever.”

If the Gers are to compete on all fronts this season, they certainly need a fully fit squad, one which is consistently durable and with a clean bill of health.

Right now, that certainly isn’t the case and Clement knows it, having to field a different squad every week.

And the latest Lundstram and Roofe blows now leaves Clement without eight first-team players joining Nicolas Raskin, Danilo, Ryan Jack, Steven Davies, Scott Wright and Tom Lawrence.

While those absences are a huge blow to Clement, it is certainly much of a bigger one that most of those players out is arguably the most important role in his system, especially the midfielders.

The Gers spent just a whopping £15m in the summer under Beale and several of those signings have struggled to make a name for themselves so far, especially Sam Lammers, Dujon Sterling, Cyriel Dessers and Jose Cifuentes.

There are no guarantees Clement will be handed the funds to sign the players he wants in January [Chris Jack, 14 October] which means he may look to force out several stars to fund his brand-new revolution.

Rangers Review journo Jonny McFarlane shared that Clement personally told him he has plans to add to the Rangers squad in the January transfer window and for that to happen Bennett will have to let cash go.

Given the amount of injuries right now, it may prove difficult to sell fringe players who will now be called upon to fill in the gaps.

Regardless, the Gers now find themselves in an open title race with Celtic having cut the gap to two points and currently undergoing a stark renaissance under Clement’s management but that has to be sustained through further additions in January.

The Ibrox chequebook may have to be opened once again.

In other Rangers news, Tavernier and Goldson were both said to be shocked by the behaviour of Beale during preseason.