Rangers: Jim White blown away by Philippe Clement in Old Firm prediction vs Celtic
Jim White has a “feeling” that Rangers will win this weekend’s Old Firm derby with Celtic thanks to “one of the most impressive performers I have seen” in manager Philippe Clement.
The talkSPORT host heaped praise on the Gers boss live on the station (5 April), but saw his hugely positive assessment of the Light Blues’ leader, after spending an evening on stage with him recently, and their chances rained on by Martin Keown.
The ex-Arsenal defender conversely talked up Brendan Rodgers record and intimated that the Hoops boss should be favourite at Ibrox on Sunday (7 April).
White said, via the Daily Record: “He has been impressive in his short time there. I think this guy has got a hold of the club and I think in his first season they are well capable of doing it.
“Who wins on Sunday is significant and important. Celtic have shown in the past they don’t need friends or fans there, but I just have a feeling Rangers will do it this time.”
Keown responded: “Yeah, you may have that feeling but I am pretty certain that Brendan Rodgers will be going in there with that big game experience. He has a lot of experience going in there compared to the Rangers manager, and they recently lost to Motherwell at home.
“So why can’t Celtic go there and win? We all know that it’s a different mentality when you got these as a Celtic player and you are playing at a full house. Whoever wins this one will be Scottish champions.”
Martin Keown not impressed by Rangers credentials
The proof will be in practice but it would be easy to dismiss Clement and his side just from watching Old Firm derbies and looking at the recent results.
Quite clearly the Belgian has rejuvenated the club since taking over from Michael Beale, and kickstarted a genuine title race.
It’s true that the last two league defeats, to Motherwell and at Parkhead on 30 December, left a lot to be desired so it is impossible to be certain of how this one will go.
But Rodgers has needed to rebound from looking distinctly under pressure a few weeks ago to come into a derby which could go either way.
However, were it not for the fact that the Dundee away fixture had to be rescheduled to next midweek there is every chance Rangers and Clement would go into this on top of the table and in the ascendency.
But there is perhaps more genuine confidence in a Light Blues result from this derby than there has been for some time, although that will mean little if the deflating trend of letting opportunities slip amid refereeing controversy and defensive errors somehow continues.
In other Rangers news, one pundit has been wowed by a “dangerous” weapon the Light Blues are “so lucky to have” heading into this clash.
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