Philippe Clement has barely anything left to fight for at Rangers now as the rest of the season looks apathetic but for Europe.
The Belgian overcame his compatriots Union Saint-Gilloise it what is the most important result of Gers’ season so far given it elevates them straight into the last 16 of the Europa League.
Rangers were beaten in shocking circumstances by Queen’s Park at Ibrox last week, stunned out of the Scottish Cup. The League Cup final, for all its entertainment, ended in despair at the hands of Celtic (and the officials). The league is done.
Peter Grant says Rangers can’t afford Philippe Clement replacement
There is now no “way back for” Clement at Rangers to salvage his reputation with the supporters, according to Peter Grant.
The former Celtic and Scotland man has admitted the 50-year-old has very little now to battle for at Ibrox, and believes the Rangers board’s reluctance to sack him could be borne out of financial reasons.
Grant has doubted whether the funds are available at Ibrox to pay off Clement and buy adequate players for the squad, or to pay the compensation package required for a replacement currently in another role.
“The manager must be scratching his head, but now I genuinely can’t see any way back for him. There’s nothing to win now for him, and they can’t just keep accepting it,” he said on the Go Radio Football Show (13 February).
“He said it himself, three trophies out of 25. There’s a major problem for Rangers, but have they got enough finances to get a manager from another club, or get a manager and have enough to keep buying players?
“At Rangers, you’re judged on winning trophies – nothing else.”
Clement very similar to Postecoglou at Tottenham
It wasn’t too long ago Rangers played out a thrilling spectacle of attacking football against Tottenham Hotspur at Ibrox, resulting in a 1-1 draw that the Light Blues were unfortunate not to win.
For all the flak Ange Postecoglou received on his return to Glasgow with Spurs – having contributed heavily in recent times to Rangers’ lack of success in domestic competitions – he has suffered many difficulties parallel to that of Clement.
Both sides have floundered in league action this season, falling way below expectations, with a few memorable results chucked in to save face. For Rangers, the main one was of course the 2025 opener against Celtic; Spurs managed a 4-0 win away at English champions Manchester City.
And now both sides have just the Europa League left to fight for. Tottenham were knocked out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa the same day Gers were dumped out of the Scottish Cup by their neighbourly minnows at Ibrox.
Clement will battle on, but one would wager he will be a lot more relaxed and optimistic once the inevitable arrives and Rangers do make the culling call – and the same goes for the fans in Govan who want to see a fresh approach.
