SHOCKING NEWS;Keith Wyness rejected terms and conditions and insisted leaving due to

Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted Rangers had to keep manager Philippe Clement “at all costs”.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Aberdeen between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – suggested another manager search would have been “fatal” for the Ibrox club.

Rangers announced on 2 August that Clement has signed a new long-term contract at the club running until 2028.

The Belgian replaced Michael Beale in October – who himself only came in to replace Giovanni van Bronckhorst 11 months earlier.

Clement won the Scottish League Cup last term and helped Rangers back into Scottish Premiership title contention – but eventually lost out to rivals Celtic in the league and Scottish Cup.

Philippe Clement exit would have been ‘fatal’ for Rangers, says Wyness

Wyness claimed the ex-Monaco boss is “well thought of” by Gers fans despite the turmoil on and off the pitch.

He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I think the board had to keep Clement there.

“To have another manager search and change going on would have been fatal for Rangers.

“They had to keep him at all costs.

“I don’t think he’s getting the blame for the poor performance, it’s more the board – especially around the stadium issues – fans aren’t happy with the board.

“I think Clement is well thought of by the fans for trying to steady the ship.

“If they lost another manager, that would’ve been a really serious issue.

“It’s very early in the season, but already Rangers are a club on the danger watch.”

In other news, Gers tell senior trio to find new clubs.

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