Billy Dodds was at Ibrox when Rangers defeated St Johnstone and a controversial protest to win the Scottish Premiership.
The former Rangers striker is now a BBC Sport pundit, and he was behind the microphone as the Light Blues welcomed the Saints to Ibrox.
Billy Dodds, a Scotland international striker, won three major championships during his time at Rangers and has commented on the team’s performance at Govan, as well as the Union Bears walk-out that overshadowed the match.
Billy Dodds hails ‘ruthless’ Rangers first half
Rangers began the Scottish Premiership encounter against St Johnstone on an explosive note, leading 3-0 after 25 minutes.
Billy Dodds praised the Rangers for their ‘ruthless’ performance and claimed that, in the midst of scandal, Philippe Clement is only concerned with three points.
“St Johnstone led to their own troubles in the first half, but Rangers were absolutely ruthless,” Boyd told the broadcaster.
“St Johnstone played a much better second half, making it a competitive event.
“Rangers, it’s all about getting the three points today with the situation they’re in and they’ve deserved that.”
Rangers threatened to complicate matters when they conceded from yet another set play, giving St Johnstone a lifeline in the second half.
While the Saints’ efforts eventually faded, Rangers were sloppy with their passing and had their rhythm broken by a series of substitutes.
Dodds believes that as the clock crept down at a chilly Ibrox, Philippe Clement would have simply wanted to get his charges back into the changing room.
It comes as Rangers face a must-win game against floundering Aberdeen, whose bid to finish second, let alone first, has crumbled since November.
“I think Philippe Clement is just counting the minutes now,” Dodds stated as the game neared completion.
“Not because they are under a lot of pressure, but if St Johnstone scores a second goal, it will be a scary ending.
“I believe that is where the Rangers manager is at. He just wants to finish the game and prepare for Aberdeen on Wednesday.”
Ex-Rangers striker expresses ‘mixed feeling’ to Ibrox protest
Billy Dodds has also commented on the contentious Union Bears protest, in which many supporters clashed for 55 minutes.
Throughout the match, the Rangers Ultras group raised several banners demanding change at all levels of the club.
However, in the run-up to the match, Rangers fans requested that Philippe Clement be fired, despite the club being 15 points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership standings.
Reflecting on the protests at Ibrox, Dodds argues that the Union Bears walkout elicited a’mixed reaction’ and offers advise to St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari.
“Rangers deserved to win the game, but that was all it was about after that ruthless first half performance,” Dodds told ESPN.
“But then St Johnstone changed their shape at halftime, and they scored.
“Then the walkout occurred. The ultras all went and a few others did too, but some booed it in a mixed reception.
“Simo Valakari will learn from this that you can’t come to places like this and play open, attacking football.”
