Rangers: Philippe Clement identifies area of improvement that could settle Celtic title battle
Philippe Clement wants to see every Rangers outfield player contribute directly to goals as he looks to further improve the team.
The Belgian has worked wonders since taking over at Ibrox from Michael Beale last October.
However, Clement still believes there is more to come from his side moving forward, with Jack Butland the only exception to his plan.
“The football I want to play, I want danger to come from everywhere, from all the positions,” he said, as per the Daily Record [18 March].
“Our full-backs score goals, our centre-backs score goals, our defensive midfielders, the wingers, the strikers, No.10, everybody.
“For me, that is the most difficult thing to stop. If the danger only comes from one, two or three players, then it is easier to stop.
“I want a team we can use every game to look at where the weak points of the opponent are and where we can exploit them, and you need different qualities for that.
“The players have stepped into this story, that’s why we do finishing exercises with everybody, not only with our attacking players, and they are getting better and better at that in all the squad. That is a major thing, I want a sort of total football with everyone involved.
“Only Jack, he is the only one who will not score, because I don’t want to be that focused on everybody scoring that he starts to get the penalties or something! That could be a trick to do that, but that is not the idea. And Tav (James Tavernier) would not be happy I don’t think.”
Rangers and Celtic level on goal difference
Rangers have scored 64 goals in the Scottish Premiership this season, which is seven fewer than Celtic.
The Gers have a better defensive record, however, having conceded just 16 goals in comparison to Celtic’s 23.
In a season that could easily see the top two separated by goal difference, the rivals are currently level on +48.
By getting others to chip in with goals, it takes some of the weight off the shoulders of striker Cyriel Dessers.
The key difference, though, is not a player contributing in a 5-0 win, say, but finding the breakthrough in a tight contest.
Even after making a superb start to his Rangers tenure, it is good to see Clement still looking for further ways to improve.
And with a little under two weeks on the training ground ahead, we could see a goal rush come the visit of Hibernian on 30 March.
In other Rangers news, David Edgar has made a “fuming” claim on the back of the Dundee match being postponed.
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.