Kris Boyd slams Rangers mentality ahead of Man United clash at Old Trafford
Rangers having a dismal away record in the Scottish Premiership this season has nothing to do with their European exploits, Kris Boyd has said.
Speaking on Sky Sports News (22 January, 10:25am), Boyd said the Gers don’t have the “mentality” to win domestic matches away from home, and can’t use quick European turnarounds as an excuse.
Philippe Clement’s side have won just once on the road so far in this season’s Premiership, and were challenged to emulate their form on the continent, where they’re unbeaten with two wins and a draw.
Boyd said: “In Europe, Rangers haven’t had any problems, domestically at home they haven’t had any problems – it’s been away from home in the Premiership, and for me that comes down to mentality.
“You might be coming off the back of a big European night and then you’re asked to go away from home and get results – but that’s not always the case for Rangers.
“There’s been games where you look and they’ve not had any European football, so for me it’s the mentality, to go and get results in the Premiership away from home.”
Philippe Clement under pressure to reverse away form at Rangers
Boyd’s comments came ahead of two away games in the space of four days for the Bears, as they visit Manchester United in the Europa League on Thursday before heading to Dundee United this weekend.
However, given their contrasting form on the road in Europe and the Premiership, many of the travelling fans will have more faith in them coming away from Old Trafford with points rather than Tannadice.
The Light Blues have been a frustrating watch at the best of times on domestic soil this term, with Clement continually falling back to square one and seemingly unable to build any momentum.
Beating Celtic 3-0 in a watershed match at Ibrox has become nothing more than a footnote, given the Gers collected just three points from a possible 12 in the four games either side of their Old Firm victory.
All four of those matches came away from Ibrox and have seen Clement’s side slip 13 points behind their Glasgow rivals, and the onus is on the Belgian to save both the season and his own career in light blue.
In other Rangers news, one out-of-favour Ibrox star is on the verge of sealing his departure to the EFL on a loan-to-buy transfer.
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