Clement latest: ‘Huge concern’ over what Rangers manager told players to do
Rangers manager Philippe Clement has done himself no favours by losing to St Mirren on Saturday.
The Gers welcomed Stephen Robinson and his side to Ibrox on 22 February and fell to yet another humiliating home defeat.
Goals from Mikael Mandron and Toyosi Olusanya secured a 2-0 win for the Saints which has only put more pressure on the Belgian head coach in Govan.
Now a major concern has been highlighted which ultimately led to the Light Blues’ downfall on the day and could result in the manager’s sack.
Neil McCann highlights Philippe Clement concern in Rangers v St Mirren
There were few redeeming factors from the loss against the Buddies with supporters voicing their discontent at full time.
The major issue for the Gers was consistently giving the ball away while allowing the travelling outfit to win the ball high up the pitch.
This was caused by a lack of confidence which regularly saw the easy option be taken by players which only resulted in problems throughout the clash at Ibrox.
Neil McCann picked this out on BBC Sportscene (22 February) and believes this issue comes directly from Clement and his instructions.
He said: “It’s a huge concern. You can talk about nerves but this is negative and that’s got to come from the manager.
“That ball should be going down the line to keep St Mirren in, this negative throwback from Jefte allows St Mirren to do that aggressive press. Now Nsiala must find Raskin, Raskin’s asking for it but he has to demand it, want the ball there.
“Then it’s a rollback to Butland, then back to Nsiala, the first pass is to Jefte but he doesn’t and goes into Raskin. What has Butland got on then?
“You have to work on these things, if you’re going to play out from the back, you have to find solutions, you have to work on what-ifs. I feel that Rangers over the last few games, there’s a lack of spark. I don’t think it’s nerves, it has to be demanded from the sidelines.”
| Stat | Rangers v St Mirren |
| Possession (%) | 65 |
| Shots on target | 3 |
| Big chances created | 0 |
| Duels won (%) | 48 |
Rangers have Philippe Clement sack decision to make at Ibrox
The former Monaco boss has been under constant pressure throughout the season and have consistently played second-fiddle to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
This now sees the Light Blues sit 13 points behind Brenden Rodgers’ side with just 27 games played while also being dumped out of the Scottish Cup against Queens Park.
As a result, there is very little to play for domestically for the rest of the season but Clement has still managed to slip below expectations.
Losing against St Mirren has little excuse for a Gers side that should be winning every game at home regardless of who they are playing against.
This could prove to be the end of the road for the 50-year-old manager who has already come under enough pressure of the sack at earlier stages of the campaign.
It is now down to Patrick Stewart and Co. to pull the sack trigger but there is no guarantees of that happening any time soon.