Philippe Clement: Business as normal for Rangers boss following Scottish Cup shock loss to Queen’s Park

Philippe Clement seems set to stay Rangers supervisor forward of Sunday’s journey to Hearts within the Scottish Premiership – stay on Sky Sports activities.

That is regardless of his facet dropping 1-0 to Championship outfit Queen’s Park at Ibrox, that means the Gers’ hopes of home silverware this season are all however over.

The membership are 13 factors behind Celtic within the Scottish Premiership with 13 video games to go, having already misplaced to their Outdated Agency rivals within the League Cup closing.

Whereas Rangers are within the last-16 of the Europa League, many followers have referred to as on the Belgian boss to be relieved of his duties after simply 16 months on the helm.

Nonetheless, it seems to be enterprise as normal at Rangers forward of Sunday’s match – stay on Sky Sports activities – with Clement additionally insisting he’s not contemplating leaving the function.

What’s going on behind the scenes?

Maybe the notion of enterprise as normal mustn’t come as a shock to supporters after CEO Patrick Stewart revealed only one month in the past that he would stand by Clement, for now.

No knee-jerk response got here after a run of 4 away video games with out a win, albeit there was an Outdated Agency victory sandwiched in between.

Stewart mentioned it will have been “the easy decision” to take heed to fan frustration and sack Clement. Nonetheless, he believes his personal time as chief at Outdated Trafford proves fixed managerial change just isn’t efficient. That being mentioned, he did warn outcomes should enhance with no “cast-iron guarantees” supplied.

As a substitute of short-term fixes, Stewart made it clear he desires to look beneath the bonnet at Ibrox.

Rangers have seen their rivals Celtic win 12 of the final 13 league titles and the CEO sanctioned a “root and branch review of the entire football department”, led by exterior specialists. The membership are one month into the method, which is more likely to go on for weeks.

He desires to deal with the problems which have blighted the membership on and off the sector in current seasons and whereas new assistant Issame Charai was appointed a few weeks in the past – there may be nonetheless loads on the to-do listing behind the scenes at Ibrox.

Boyd: Nothing for followers to be optimistic about

Talking on Sky Sports activities Information, former Rangers striker Kris Boyd mentioned:

“When you look at this season, it has been really poor but that loss to Queen’s Park tops the lot. Upsets can happen but Rangers can’t be losing at home to Queen’s Park.

“You have a look at the league desk – it does not lie – 13 factors behind, having already crushed Celtic, misplaced the League Cup closing to Celtic and now knocked out of the Scottish Cup.

“We’re not even in the middle of February and domestically it’s over for Rangers already. Europe, for me, has papered over the cracks.

“I feel lots of people have checked out Rangers on a Thursday night time and you may see some indicators that the gamers have gotten themselves up for these video games however come the Sunday after it, they’ve struggled.

“I know Patrick Stewart said it wasn’t a financial decision [to avoid sacking Clement] in the past when he’s spoken. I think right now the Rangers fans need to know is Clement only there now because of finances, because in terms of the progression of the team – we’re not seeing that.

“By way of enchancment, there’s nothing for any Rangers fan to really feel optimistic about Philippe Clement carrying Rangers ahead.

“When you look at the big picture here and go back to the start of the season, James Tavernier was at one point Rangers third choice right-back [behind Kasanwirjo and Sterling]. He didn’t know if he was coming or going. Ianis Hagi was told by the manager that he wasn’t in his plans, he didn’t see him as his number 10.

“Nicolas Raskin was to date out the image too. Now these three are the primary names in Clement’s beginning XI. One minute they have been informed they don’t seem to be adequate, they weren’t a part of the plans, they’re getting solid apart. Now swiftly you are asking them to go and get outcomes.

“I get the fact that it’s over to the players as soon as they cross the white line but I think that there’s a lack of trust from the players to the manager and vice versa.

“Philippe Clement has already had a variety of criticism and rightly so for my part as a result of 13 factors behind Celtic, out of the Scottish Cup to Queen’s Park at dwelling, and misplaced the League Cup closing to Celtic.

“Yes they did qualify for the last 16 of the Europa League, but domestically is what – at least when I was growing up – was the be-all and end-all for Rangers and I don’t think that will ever change.”

What did Clement say on his future?

Rangers’ Philippe Clement when requested if he would think about his place after the Queen’s Park defeat:

“No, totally not. No, I don’t expect this (talks with board) because you can put another manager in this game – would it be different in that sense?

“So what was yesterday? Development was made, high eight in Europe and extra consistency within the league and all these items, they do not change in 90 minutes.

“If you do that and make decisions in that way, then you make only decisions out of emotions and not out of what’s been going on. So I don’t expect this now.

“I perceive that the followers are emotional now. I do know a variety of followers had been on my facet three hours in the past. I do know that.

“So now are the emotions of this game and I totally understand that because I’m also angry and frustrated about that, about this result and going out of the Cup because it was one of our big goals and our shortest chance to go to win a trophy this season.

“Everyone knows that. That is most likely additionally one of many causes that the workforce was nervous within the second half, as a result of they wished that a lot as a result of they know the way necessary it’s for the membership.

“Of course it’s unacceptable, this result. Clearly, that’s unacceptable.

“It is a hold-up as we speak. It is a f****** irritating one. Sorry to make use of that phrase. Nevertheless it’s my feeling for the second. So I am as pissed off as everyone else.”

What’s the followers view?

Ricki Neill from All About The Gers Podcast mentioned:

“The last time I was on Sky I wanted Clement out straight away but then I was with Graeme Souness at the start of January and he was basically saying we really need to stick with this manager.

“Each single recreation I modify my thoughts and maybe now’s the top however we nonetheless do not know what sort of backing he is getting.

“Patrick Stewart basically said in January that we’re only going to get one or two players, which isn’t good enough. We need somebody like Kris Boyd, we need an out-and-out goal scorer. Everybody can see that and we’ve still not got that.

“Igamane was a future mission however we’re now having to throw him in to try to get the targets.

“There are fewer and fewer people going to Ibrox now which isn’t good because we need the finances as well.

“I positively assume the board have to decide. I heard Kris say just a few weeks in the past that he thinks the supervisor has misplaced the dressing room, which may be true. I do not know how one can play effectively in Europe after which put out a efficiency like that towards Queen’s Park.”

Rangers’ upcoming fixtures:

• February 16: Hearts (A) – Scottish Premiership, stay on Sky Sports activities
• February 22: St Mirren (H) – Scottish Premiership
• February 26: Kilmarnock (A) – Scottish Premiership, stay on Sky Sports activities
• March 1: Motherwell (H) – Scottish Premiership
• March 6: TBC – Europa League last-16
• March 13: TBC – Europa League last-16
• March 16: Celtic (A) – Scottish Premiership, stay on Sky Sports activities