Philippe Clement sack update emerges after Rangers draw v Olympiacos
John McGarry believes Philippe Clement has bought himself time at Rangers after the 1-1 draw against Olympiacos on Thursday.
Cyriel Dessers, despite being on the receiving end of critics for his first-half display, salvaged a point for the Gers at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium on 7 November.
Clement has been living on borrowed time at Ibrox ever since the 2-1 loss to Aberdeen continued a dreadful start to the Scottish Premiership this year.
However, McGarry has written for the Daily Mail [7 November], that he believes the Belgian has somewhat restored credibility with a positive result in the Europa League.
“This was a fine outcome for the embattled Rangers manager,” he wrote.
“On the back of easing out Motherwell to reach the Premier Sports Cup final last weekend, his words of promise in the summer now don’t ring quite so hollow.
“After a thoroughly wretched period in which his credentials for the job had come under scrutiny, this should buy him time and restore his credibility. The baying mob will have to stand down for now.”
Philippe Clement sack update at Rangers
While the prospect of competing in the league this term will feel like a distant goal for Rangers, a deep run into the latter stages of the Europa League could save Clement from what feels like an inevitable exit.
Celtic look levels above the Light Blues both on and off the pitch and the sooner they come to terms with this fact, the better they can manage the expectations.
Since the loss to Aberdeen, the Gers have reached the Scottish League Cup final and at this stage, if the supporters were offered a League Cup triumph and a quarter-final berth in the Europa League – they would likely take it.
Clement, on the other hand, needs to start doing himself some favours as his decisions have become the forefront of discussion once again, he removed Dujon Sterling in Piraeus after a stellar display.
Regardless, the Belgian will be pleased to return to Glasgow with his side on the cusp of qualification to the knockout rounds, with ties against Tottenham and Manchester United on the horizon, the result could not be more important.
Rangers, of course, would have preferred to leave Greece with the three points and perhaps should have after Dessers squandered two clear-cut chances in the first half but Clement must take it one step at a time.
It will be some time before the Belgian can consider his job secure at Ibrox but this result is a massive step forward after countless steps back this year.
In other Rangers news, UEFA to investigate Olympiacos after controversy in the Europa League against the Gers.
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