Rangers gesture revealed by 'grateful' Philippe Clement sidekick after Ibrox exit

Philippe Clement was sacked by Rangers in February after a dismal campaign at Ibrox.

The Belgian manager was handed his marching orders after the 2-0 Scottish Premiership loss to St Mirren on 22 February.

A former number two of the ex-Monaco man has now revealed a gesture from the Govan outfit after he beat Clement to a new job.

Ex-Rangers assistant reveals Ibrox gesture

Former Rangers assistant manager Andries Ulderink has revealed that he was given special permission from the Gers to take over at Royal Antwerp.

The Dutchman left the Gers last year due to personal reasons but was appointed at the Reds earlier this month after beating his former boss to the role

In quotes report by the Dutch outlet Telegraaf (16 March), he said: "I had no intention of going to work anywhere. In November and December, I was in a difficult private situation for several reasons. That's why I started talking to Rangers about leaving.

"My contract was terminated - I am grateful to the club for that - with the agreement that I would not accept a job this season and would make time for the family.

"I felt the energy returning there. The family process was also going in the right direction. But again, I had no intention of going to work anywhere. Then when Antwerp called, everything changed.

"The people who work here are special and my previous experience at the club left a deep impression on me.

"So I called Rangers about my contractual matters and they agreed to allow me to take the job. I decided to accept the offer. Antwerp are close to my heart."

Rangers supporters will enjoy latest Clement development

The 50-year-old endured an utterly torrid season in Govan before he was sacked and the Gers fans had started to turn on him.

His reign reached a nadir when the Bears were defeated by lowly Queen's Park and eliminated from the Scottish Cup (9 March) and it seemed inevitable that he would go but he somehow held on for another two matches.

The Belgian was doomed after that result and with the gap to Celtic in the league being so huge, he was never going to get supporters back on his side. The St Mirren defeat was the final straw in a dismal stint in the dugout that has done little to enhance his reputation.

The atmosphere at Auchenhowie was at an all-time low and has now been uplifted by Barry Ferguson, who is in interim charge and has guided the Gers into the Europa League quarter-finals with a stunning penalty shootout win over Fenerbahce.

With Ferguson seemingly getting a tune out of the playing squad, questions remain over how it took Patrick Stewart so long to part with Clement.

The fact that Ulderink beat Clement to the role with the Belgian club will satisfy Light Blues supporters tremendously after the negative impact that he had in Govan in the final stages of his Gers career.