Clement has to hope that something unexpected is about to unfold in his defining week.
Imagine it… former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou returns to Glasgow – the city where he tormented Rangers for two years.
And he’s serenaded with choruses of: ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’. Spurs lose at Ibrox in the Europa League and Postecoglou gets his jotters in the morning. And a few days later, Philippe Clement is standing at the top of the Hampden stairs holding aloft the League Cup. He’s doing The Bouncy with supporters behind the goal again – only this time he’s actually got something to celebrate. Meanwhile, Celtic gaffer Brendan Rodgers is left licking his wounds after a shock League Cup Final loss. Sounds crazy eh? Unbelievable even. Like a Scottish football parallel universe.
But it could happen, you know. You’ll get long odds but this game is mental at times. And this week Clement has to hope that something unexpected is about to unfold. Let’s face it, a few weeks ago fans were DREADING a Battle of Britain clash against the Premier League big boys. The thought of Dom Solanke, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Son Heung-min, swaggering around Ibrox would bring them out in a cold sweat. And the cup final would be a formality, of course. Rangers with their laboured, predictable and pedestrian style against a free-flowing, fluid, rampant Celtic?
It was a case of keeping the scoreline respectable. But now? Okay, it might still pan out that way. But there’s less certainty. First thing’s first, Gers have to take care of Ross County in Dingwall this afternoon. That’s non-negotiable. Anything less than a win would be unacceptable and put Clement on the back foot again.
But make no mistake, this is the biggest week of the gaffer’s Rangers career so far. Let’s be clear, the league flag is gone. They’re too far behind their Old Firm rivals. Given the summer of upheaval at Ibrox, their title bid was doomed before a ball was kicked. But in Europe and the domestic cup competitions, there’s still a chance of success.
And crucially, this week could completely change the negative narrative at Ibrox. Wins over Spurs and Celtic could transform the manager and a beleaguered support and lift the black cloud that has so far engulfed their campaign. When Postecoglou’s team are at their best, they can maul anyone. Just ask Pep Guardiola and Manchester City who were battered 4-0 at the Etihad.
But on Thursday, the former Hoops hero was booed by his own fans at Bournemouth. They lost 1-0 but it could have been four or five. Ange is under pressure and they’re vulnerable right now, with in-form Chelsea up today. With so many big games coming up at home and in Europe as well as a hefty injury list, the Aussie might be tempted to rest players against Rangers.
They should qualify for the knockout phase irrespective of what happens on Thursday. And that might play into Rangers’ hands. Not having Ianis Hagi or Danilo in his European squad is a huge blow to Clement.But if they win convincingly in the Highlands today and the Ibrox support create a proper atmosphere against Spurs, they’ve got an opportunity.
That’s all it is. A chance to upset the apple-cart and post the biggest result of Clement’s reign so far. And Rangers would then take a bit of momentum to Hampden. Celtic are massive favourites. They SHOULD put Rangers away comfortably, given the gulf in quality between the sides.
But with Hagi and Danilo fresh and Hamza Igamane providing that unpredictability Celtic haven’t faced in a derby for a while, they have to believe they can get at Rodgers’ team. In the Scottish Cup Final six months ago, no-one gave Rangers a hope. But Clement’s game-plan worked to the point where they thought they’d gone ahead only for Abdallah Sima’s goal to be harshly ruled out.
Then Jack Butland’s error in the dying seconds gifted Adam Idah a goal and Celtic the trophy. Clement has shown a different side to him in recent weeks. The thumping wins over Nice and Kilmarnock have refuelled him. He can see a bit of progression in his team. The backing from the club’s board seems to have taken a bit of heat off him. He even cracked a joke at the AGM on Thursday. This could be a turning point for Clement. He’s taken plenty of flak as manager and hasn’t helped himself at times with some ill-advised comments.
But you know what? The truth is that he’s been dealt the worst hand of any Ibrox gaffer in recent years. He was effectively sold a pup in terms of the job spec when he took over. When it came to his summer budget, the goalposts were moved. At that point, Clement could have walked. But he deserves credit for sticking around and trying to get Gers back where he feels they belong. Whether he can achieve it, who knows? But the next seven days will go a long way to shaping his Ibrox future.
