Philippe Clement sack: Michael Stewart raises Rangers question mark again
Philippe Clement will constantly be under pressure at Rangers if Celtic continue to increase their gap in the Scottish Premiership, Michael Stewart says.
The pundit believes a “question mark” will remain around the manager’s future as they lost more ground to their Old Firm rivals after their 2-1 loss to St Mirren on 26 December.
Brendan Rodgers’ team are now 12 points ahead in the league table, and Stewart has raised doubts over the 50-year-old head coach’s future if the Light Blues are unable to get closer to the Hoops.
Speaking on Premier Sports [26 December], the 43-year-old said: “That’s been a good period for Philippe Clement and for Rangers, but you do get the sense that if they don’t continue to close the gap on Celtic if they fall further behind, there’s always gonna be that pressure and question mark I think lingering over the team and the manager.”
Philippe Clement risks Rangers sack after St Mirren loss
Clement had come a long way this season, and the noise around his future had died down after the impressive displays against Tottenham and Celtic in recent weeks.
The Bears’ performance in the Scottish League Cup final was one of their best of the campaign, and despite the loss, the Ibrox faithful’s opinion of the Belgian manager was starting to change.
After the loss to Stephen Robinson’s team, the 50-year-old head coach seems to have undone all of his good work.
Rangers are unlikely to pip their Old Firm rivals to the domestic title, but fans want to see their team at least go toe-to-toe with the Hoops for the rest of the season.
The Gers can’t take their foot off the gas right now with Europa League qualification still in their hands.
Clement will also have a chance to get his hands on silverware with the Scottish Cup starting soon.
While the Belgian has never beaten Celtic during his time in the Ibrox dugout, he’ll have another chance on 2 January, and if he fails to come out victorious on the day, then Patrick Stewart will have a big decision to make regarding the managerial situation at the Glaswegian outfit.
In other Rangers news, Leon Bolugun’s injury is a huge concern after his St Mirren display.
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