Ally McCoist reveals signing that could have saved Philippe Clement at Rangers
Ally McCoist has named one signing who he suspects could have changed the fortunes of Rangers and saved Philippe Clement.
Rangers made the decision to sack Clement after suffering a 2-0 defeat against St Mirren on Saturday (22 February).
The Gers have announced the appointment of Barry Ferguson on an interim basis for the remainder of the season, while a decision on a permanent manager will wait until the conclusion of the campaign.
Lawrence Shankland could have been Rangers saviour
Clement’s sacking from Rangers was not just down to the one result against St Mirren but rather a pattern of inconsistent performances and scorelines throughout the season so far.
Gers supporters don’t have unrealistic expectations but to be 13 points away from Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership with only the Europa League left to play for certainly signifies a fall from grace.
Many supporters made their feelings about Clement well known to the hierarchy at Ibrox although up until now, they had stood by the Belgian with their support.
| Scottish Premiership | 2nd (13 points behind Celtic) |
| Scottish League Cup | Lost the final on penalties to Celtic |
| Scottish Cup | Knocked out in the fifth round, beaten by Queen’s Park |
| Europa League | Round of 16 (ongoing) |
Speaking live on talkSPORT (24 February, 7:41am), McCoist was asked if Clement was carrying the can for other people’s failings and he admitted: “Yes. But he’s also carrying the can for his own failings.
“You take that job, you can complain about recruitment. You can complain about this, that and the next thing. But effectively, one thing you do know the buck stops at you and you’re the man that will get the sack. Players won’t get the sack, you’ll get the sack and that’s what’s happened.
“He has to, of course, he has to show a bit of responsibility. I don’t think it’s all down to him by any stretch of the imagination but he shoulders the responsibility.”
However, the Rangers legend went on to admit that one transfer could have turned the whole tenure around as he said: “I actually think last year if they’d gone and got Lawrence Shankland, I think they might have won the league. I genuinely do.
“In the window last January, I think if they’d had given Hearts what they wanted, I think Shankland would’ve scored the goals that won Rangers the league. Wasn’t to be. Celtic are back and deservedly won the league and that was that.”
Philippe Clement’s departure from Rangers isn’t enough
As McCoist points out, there is no way that Clement can escape taking his share of responsibility for the position that Rangers find themselves in this season as he is ultimately responsible for team selection, tactics and so on.
Similarly, though, those higher up at Ibrox cannot escape responsibility for the part they have played in the Gers’ demise either and it’s not just one person’s fault that the side are where they are now.
For too long, the Rangers hierarchy has been incapable of managing the financials of the club properly which has left the Gers without a solid financial base that can push them forward towards success.
It’s a bold claim that Shankland would have changed things so dramatically in Glasgow but you never know how things play out and it would have been good to at least see the ambition from the Light Blues to complete a signing like that.
For many supporters, Clement’s sacking will only be the beginning and they will now be looking towards the rumoured takeover of the club by 49ers Enterprises and hoping that completes and the future will look brighter.