Philippe Clement has it all to lose in Rangers v Celtic for Scottish Cup
Philippe Clement cannot get away with it if Rangers lose to Celtic again in the Scottish Cup Final on 25 May, says former Hoops striker Chris Sutton.
Writing in the Daily Record, Sutton said that Rangers failing to beat Celtic again this season could spell a difficult summer for Clement, who has drawn one and lost two Old Firm derbies since succeeding Michael Beale.
The Gers eventually finished eight points behind their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, with Sutton pointing out that they were closer to Celtic back in October when Beale was sacked.
In his Record column, Sutton wrote; “Clement has much more to lose; doubts have really started to creep into the minds of some fans with the way the games against Celtic have gone under the Belgian.
“For all Rangers seemed to be making progress under Clement, they finished more points behind Celtic in the table than they were when Beale was axed.
“No Rangers manager can get away with not beating Celtic in big games.”
Rangers can save sorry season with Celtic victory
Rangers are preparing to face their biggest rivals in a Scottish Cup final for the first time in 22 years, and need to embody the spirit of their last-gasp victory in 2002 if they’re to secure a first win of the season against Celtic.
As mentioned by Sutton, the Gers’ record in Old Firm derbies this season is abysmal, collecting a solitary point from 12 available in their four meetings with Celtic.
Two of those defeats, both by 2-1 scorelines, have come under Clement, either side of a 3-3 draw at Ibrox which saw the light blues come from both 2-0 and 3-2 down in the final minutes of the game.
As the curtain comes down on the entire Scottish domestic season, the Belgian will be hoping that form plays no part in Saturday’s decider – a one-off match to see who’ll win at Hampden Park.
It’s also shaping up to be a final farewell for several Rangers players as a summer rebuild begins under Clement, who can completely rebuild his poor record against Celtic if his side can be victorious to lift the Scottish Cup.
In other Rangers news, the Light Blues have been told to hand Ryan Jack a new contract extension at Ibrox after an injury update
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