Chris Sutton raises Derek McInnes to Rangers question live on air in new Philippe Clement verdict
Chris Sutton has replied to a Rangers fan live on air after it was suggested Derek McInnes should replace Philippe Clement in the Ibrox dugout.
The Light Blues all but surrendered their slim title hopes with a 2-1 Old Firm defeat at Parkhead on Saturday (11 May) with a disastrous performance from John Lundstram handing the Hoops the Premiership.
While fans and pundits alike have criticised Clement for the manner in which his side has fallen away in recent weeks, Sutton was quick to try and praise the Belgian whilst a supporter mooted his potential replacement.
Speaking on BBC Radio Five Live on Sunday (12 May) Sutton said: “What needs to happen, I mean with Philippe Clement he has got every last ounce out of this group of players, I think. He does deserve credit for Rangers even being in this position doesn’t he?”
The caller replied: “He does, but it seems to have been Groundhog Day since (Steven) Gerrard left. I was a big fan of Gio van Bronckhorst as a player but not as a manager. Then we had Mr Beale and I don’t want to waste breath on him. Now Philippe Clement – but look I always have been a fan of McInnes.
Sutton responded: “It’s interesting you say about McInnes. Do you think Rangers would go back there? When I say go back he was very close to getting the job when he was at Aberdeen.”
The fan quickly replied: “All we were told was that he was offered it and turned it down. I think eventually they are going to have to go back to McInnes. It just seems to be all these managers come in and do the job – then player Celtic and get beat. It’s the same old story.”
Would Rangers sack Philippe Clement and appoint Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes?
Whether or not Clement is already under any pressure from the decision-makers at Ibrox remains to be seen, but from the outside, it would appear incredibly short-sighted to sack a manager after only a matter of months.
Clement may not lift the Premiership title this season, but when he took over at Ibrox there was little to no expectation that the Gers would even be in a title race they were that far behind Celtic.
McInnes may have a better understanding of the Scottish game than the Belgian, but that doesn’t make him a better manager. The Light Blues cannot even be sure that the former Aberdeen would even accept the offer if it arrived.
Until Clement wins an Old Firm derby, there will be pressure on him from supporters as there was when Michael Beale was in charge, but continuously sacking managers isn’t going to stop that from happening in the long run.
In other Rangers news, John Hartson has shared a new Clement sack verdict live on air after the Old Firm derby
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