Rangers supporters will be furious as Philippe Clement makes new Celtic admission

Philippe Clement has already come in for a fair bit of criticism from Rangers supporters and pundits so far this season.

While the Light Blues' board have backed the Belgian both in the transfer market and with a new contract, some have suggested that he could still be sacked if results don't improve at Ibrox.

Fans have been left frustrated by the 50-year-old's positive comments after the Old Firm defeat to Celtic at Parkhead, where he called back to the Gers' 6-0 thrashing of Ross County the week prior.

However, sections of the support will have been left enraged after hearing what Clement told fellow Belgian and the latest addition to Brendan Rodgers' side Arne Engels.

According to CeltsAreHere journalist Josh MCafferty on X (10 September), Clement told Hoops record signing Engels that joining Rodgers' side was a "good step" before the most recent Old Firm clash.

Will Rangers sack Philippe Clement at Rangers after Ibrox developments?

While some will argue this isn't that major an incident, Clement's latest comments to Engels suggest that he just doesn't understand the rivalry between the two Old Firm sides in Glasgow.

There is a genuine hatred between the two sets of supporters and it seems ridiculous that the Rangers manager was willing to tell a player that a transfer to Parkhead was a "good step", especially just before a derby clash.

How are the players in the Light Blues' changing room supposed to understand the enormity of winning against the Hoops to supporters when their manager doesn't quite appear to fully recognise just how important it is?

Had the Gers picked up all three points at Parkhead before the international break, this would have been a complete storm in a teacup. However, with the Belgian winless in all his meetings with Celtic, it feels as though he is on thin ice.

Maybe some sections of the fanbase are overreacting to what is really just a minor conversation between a manager and a player who know one another, but it does feel like a bit of a kick in the teeth that wasn't necessary.

In other Rangers news, a free transfer has been mooted for James Tavernier after new Ibrox exit developments this summer

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