Hugh Keevins praised the Light Blues’ manager for how he has overcome his legion of detractors.
After manager Stuart Kettlewell’s departure in response to maltreatment, not only a segment of the Motherwell fan base has reason to reconsider their behavior.
Ibrox for Introspection might also be an appropriate slogan where Philippe Clement is concerned. I wrote here a few weeks ago that a repentance service might be required on the ground in light of the Belgian’s progress in defiance of his legions of enemies.
There is now a large amount of evidence to back the concept in principle, if not the thought of actually hosting such an event, as Clement’s decimated club reached the last-16 of the Europa League.
The man has been harassed in the street outside Ibrox after a loss to Celtic and criticized on a broad basis for simply not being the greatest. Anyone who denies this has a shaky grasp on reality, selective amnesia, and a strained relationship with the truth.
There have been walk-outs, banners, and demonstrations, and his appointment was viewed as yet another act of betrayal by a Rangers board that was deemed unfit for duty.
Clement was frequently asked at news conferences if he worried for his job, but that issue has now become obsolete.
As out of date as criticism about his most controversial signing, Cyriel Dessers. The audience were singing the striker’s name before the start of Thursday’s win over Union St-Gilloise, instead of booing him as he came on to the stadium in the darker days. Clement’s journey through Europe continues. In terms of arithmetic, the Premiership title is far from over.
The only thing that has been confirmed beyond all reasonable dispute is that the Rangers supporters have had a classic case of premature irritation with their manager.
I look forward to the first radio caller telling me they were never in any doubt the manager will come good and never supported any resistance to him being in office while everyone else was losing their heads.
I’ll answer him, or her, once I’ve stopped giggling.
