Clement faces ‘not proven’ verdict as Rangers manager after what happened vs Motherwell
Philippe Clement faces a “not proven” verdict on his future as Rangers manager after boos from the crowd against Motherwell at Hampden Park, according to Stephen McGowan.
The Scottish Daily Mail reporter published on page 71 of Tuesday’s edition [5 November] that the Belgian’s tenure at Ibrox “hung by a thread”, as his side trailed at half-time to Andy Halliday’s opener on Sunday [3 November].
Clement’s Gers crucially set up an Old Firm final in the Scottish League Cup for next month after turning the match on its head in a 2-1 win but McGowan feels Clement has not done nearly enough to turn the doubters into believers.
McGowan said: “Victory over Motherwell felt more like a not proven verdict than a full-scale acquittal.
“Trailing to an Andy Halliday goal at half-time, the court of public opinion were vocal and clear.
“With the team being booed from the pitch, the Belgian’s job hung by a thread”.
Philippe Clement saves job after Rangers turnaround
In among all the chaos and turmoil, it’s easy to forget Rangers remain the holders of the League Cup and now maintain a chance to retain it.
Underdogs they will certainly be, the progression to the final is likely what has kept Clement in with a chance of lifting another piece of silverware.
For it to so nearly be ex-Gers man Halliday to hammer in the final nail would have been a different kind of pain, but for a much-maligned Cyriel Dessers and then Nedim Bajrami to save their boss after the break.
Rangers have however started relatively well in the Europa League, winning two of their opening three league phase matches, and travel to Piraeus to take on Olympiacos on Thursday [7 November].
The Greeks have the same record so far but will be fancying their chances of a welcome win against the troubled Light Blues.
In other Rangers news, Michael Stewart calls Clement’s decision on one star a “big, big statement”.
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