Philippe Clement gives Rangers title swagger and belief over sour Brendan Rodgers – Ewan Murray
Rangers have been “completely rejuvenated” by Philippe Clement and the side now carry the “swagger and belief of champions”, according to Ewan Murray.
The journalist wrote in his Guardian column on 27 February that with the Light Blues two points and six goals ahead of Celtic with 11 games remaining it has left a “sour” Brendan Rodgers under pressure and forced to engage in “theatre, detached from sporting reality” amid his recent controversy with BBC Scotland’s Jane Lewis.
But Murray pointed to the head-to-head record this season and recent SPFL history as enough to provide the Hoops hope, with Gers fans said to be “so giddy” that failure to win at this stage would be a major spectacle.
He wrote of the current league standing: “In other leagues, this would be no cause for firm opinion but the weakness of Scotland’s top flight means Rodgers cannot rely on other teams nicking points from Rangers.
“The Ibrox side have been completely rejuvenated by Philippe Clement, to the degree where they play with the swagger and belief of champions.
“Celtic have two key elements on their side: successive and deserved victories over Rangers in the Premiership this season, and a level of recent title specialism not at all evident across the city.”
However he warned: “Celtic’s supporter base fears losing the league whereas Rangers fans properly believe they can win it. Those in blue are so giddy it will be quite the scene if Clement does not see this championship through.”
And added: “If Rodgers does win this league, he can feel empowered. In a Scottish context, given the strength of Rangers and Celtic’s obvious shortcomings, this would be his finest achievement yet.”
Rangers title failure tipped as Brendan Rodgers’ finest hour at Celtic
Of course the Gers fanbase is confident but few will be convinced that the race is over at this stage when they have had to endure domestic mediocrity over the past two seasons.
Clement has turned things around to a huge degree and it is clearly having an effect on his opposite number at Parkhead.
But the gap is still less than one win, so any slip-ups could still throw away the advantage that has been so hard-earned.
At this stage of his time at Ibrox it is Clement’s major unfulfilled requirement to turn the tables in Old Firm derbies, and if he can tick that off then it likely will bring the title back to Govan.
But until the Belgian succeeds in doing so it will likely keep the title race in the balance, however much Rodgers attempts to claim that everyone has already decided it.
The season has already been through one major reversal so it is far from impossible for a second to materialise, no matter how impressive Rangers currently look.
In other Rangers news, a pair of Sky Sports pundits disagreed on air over the Light Blues signing a new sensation.
For more Rangers news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.