Rangers face ‘toxic cycle’ amid Philippe Clement pressure
Rangers face a potential “toxic cycle” of replacing managers if they do not give Philippe Clement enough time at Ibrox.
That is the view of Daily Record writer Andy Newport, who offered his opinion on page 39 of the newspaper’s print edition on Monday (13 May).
Clement enjoyed a brilliant honeymoon period at Rangers after replacing Michael Beale last October, winning the Scottish League Cup and briefly overhauling Celtic at the top of the table.
But a difficult run of form culminated in a disappointing 2-1 loss at their Old Firm rivals on Saturday (11 May), a result that means the Bhoys have all but wrapped up the Scottish Premiership title.
One of the questions in the Record’s Monday Jury feature asked if Clement is now under pressure but Newport thinks the Belgian needs backing this summer.
He wrote: “Rangers are in danger of slipping into a toxic cycle of sacking bosses, watching their replacement have a brief upturn before results slump and starting again. Clement needs time – and money – to get things back on track.”
Philippe Clement under pressure at Rangers?
It feels today that Clement is almost a victim of the early successes he enjoyed at Ibrox.
When Beale departed the club, a decision that had almost universal backing among Gers supporters, the season looked completely done.
Clement came in and completely revitalised the place and the fact he managed to even make a fist of the title fight is credit to the work he has done.
Ultimately, though, many of the weaknesses that were so evident under Beale have reared their ugly head and it looks as though Clement was only papering over some significant cracks.
But it seems a bit foolhardy to have any suggestion he should be replaced. He needs to be backed this summer and have the opportunity to build a squad in his mould because he has earned the right to have that opportunity.
It is abundantly clear that Rangers need to start winning the big ones against Celtic but Clement deserves time and support to be able to achieve that next season.
In other Rangers news, Jack Butland could not leave amid a “properly sobering” verdict.
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