Clement one slip-up away from sack pressure despite ‘Massive’ Rangers verdict
Philippe Clement will be aware he is only one slip-up away from facing questions on his Rangers future despite “massive” performances against Tottenham and Celtic, Alasdair Lamont has said.
The Gers were the better side in a 1-1 Europa League draw against Spurs before losing in heartbreaking fashion to Celtic on penalties in a contentious Scottish League Cup final.
Clement had faced intense scrutiny over his role before an impressive turnaround in form prior to the two marquee fixtures and BBC Sport reporter Lamont says the Belgian deserves credit for turning things around.
However, he added the 50-year-old knows that opinions among fans and pundits can just as easily turn again in the coming weeks.
Writing for the BBC Sport website (19 December), he wrote: “They have emerged from two massive games against Spurs and Celtic with their pride intact and should garner a good deal of belief from having gone toe to toe against teams who only a matter of weeks previously would surely have wiped the floor with them,” he wrote.
“Philippe Clement and his players deserve much credit for the recent vast improvement in performances, with the Belgian having answered a lot of the criticism that had begun to come his way from pundits and supporters alike.
“The key now is to build upon that improvement because as Clement will know all too well, it will only take one more slip-up in the league to provide the doubters with further ammunition.
“Most observers, myself included, do not believe there is a way back into the title race for Rangers, but continuing to take maximum points from the three games before the new year meeting with Celtic at Ibrox is still imperative, as is a good showing and, ideally for Clement and Rangers, a win in that one.
“With the on-field situation having improved, the appointment of a new chief executive and chairman should begin to restore some off-field stability and ought to allow the club to put in place structures that can allow Rangers to flourish”.
Rangers need to bounce back after their defeat to Celtic
There’s no denying that the recent goal-scoring form of Hamza Igamane is likely what Clement has to thank for the fans starting to get back on his side.
There have been countless times this season when it’s felt like the Belgian was done at Ibrox but, the Gers have stuck to their word and kept the 50-year-old in the role as they look to try and build stability at the club.
Prior to their 5-4 defeat on penalties to Celtic at Hampden Park, following a pulsating 3-3 draw, Rangers found themselves on a nine-game unbeaten streak across all competitions.
Which, when compared to where they were at the start of the season, shows how much they’ve turned things around.
At the moment, it feels unlikely that the Gers can mount a late title charge due to the 11 points that currently separate them from the top spot.
But, if they want the best chance at getting involved once again, they must bounce back and not let their defeat to Brendan Rodgers’ men slow down their momentum as they’ll find themselves fighting for no reason.
In other Rangers news, an ex-Scottish FA referee has lauded Willie Collum for the way he’s handled the aftermath of the Gers’ penalty call against Celtic.
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