Clement told to hold talks with David Gray at Hibernian v Rangers amid ‘Crisis’
Philippe Clement should speak with David Gray about “crisis management” as his Rangers side face Hibernian on Sunday, according to Robert Grieve.
Writing in the Scottish Sun on Sunday‘s print edition (5 January, page 62), Grieve said that despite their stunning 3-0 victory over Celtic, it would be “lunacy” for the Gers to alleviate any scrutiny on Clement.
Facing a Hibs side who have recovered from a woeful start to win four of their last five matches, Grieve urged Clement to take a leaf out of Gray’s book in a bid to continue his own side’s upturn in form.
He said: “It’s lunacy to have [Clement] in with the red bricks at Ibrox now. Should Rangers fail to beat Hibs at Easter Road today, what does that say about Clement?
“David Gray was a dead man walking himself just a month ago, and yet has been able to save a situation that looked beyond repair.
“The two men should actually have a conversation behind closed doors today on crisis management because they have both been through the wringer.”
Philippe Clement faces must-win Rangers clash at Easter Road
Tails are well and truly up off the back of a 3-0 victory over their biggest rivals, but Clement knows better than anyone that if he can’t follow it up with a victory in the capital, the Bears will be back to square one.
A weather-affected clash, at least for the travelling fans, is expected at Easter Road, against a Hibs side bang in form following a superb turnaround led by club legend Gray in the dugout.
Given the ample, and deserved, criticism thrown at him for tinkering with his team over the festive period, leading to lacklustre results at St. Mirren and Motherwell, Clement has finally embraced continuity.
Naming an unchanged side from their watershed Old Firm victory is a wise move despite the two games being just three days apart, but building momentum in the title race is absolutely crucial for the Belgian.
Clement will be firmly back under the microscope if anything less than three points are picked up in Edinburgh, yet for pointers on how to turn ailing form around, the opposition dugout may be his best bet.
In other Rangers news, Gary Keown still isn’t convinced by Philippe Clement after his treatment of two Ibrox stars this season.
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