Philippe Clement is on cliff edge and Brendan Rodgers could push him into the abyss – Chris Sutton

Philippe Clement is on cliff edge and Brendan Rodgers could push him into the abyss – Chris Sutton

Brendan Rodgers spoke a year ago about facing five Rangers managers and each time the Ibrox team were coming.

 

By Friday, he might have to nudge that number up to six. Rodgers has wiped the floor with permanent Rangers managers during his two spells at Celtic. He’s thrust most of them out the door and Philippe Clement could easily be his next victim within the next few days.

Rodgers has ruled the roost in Glasgow over a couple of terms with Mark Warburton first to be dismissed on the back of suffering to Rodgers. Pedro Caixinha and his dogs and caravans were next. Graeme Murty barely counts given that he was a caretaker. Steven Gerrard did at least actually win a game against the Celtic manager, but he didn’t win the battle and only got his title when Rodgers had departed for Leicester. Michael Beale was a fleeting opponent and now it’s Clement who is being battered.

If he delivers another boot to the Belgian on Thursday, Rodgers will be onto his next challenger from across the city because, contract or no contract, I don’t see how Clement can survive yet another Old Firm reverse. Any time he puts some credit in the bank, he always finds a way to empty his account.

 

On that day Rodgers spoke, Clement had faced Rodgers for the first time. Celtic weren’t in great form, whereas his team were flying. Rodgers won. Since then, it’s been an endless cycle and Clement can’t bridge the gap. The Belgian does some good stuff, then completely fluffs it.

 

That April game at Ibrox last season. Rangers had a chance to make a serious surge towards the title. He draws 3-3 at home, does a lap of honour and talks of moral victories. May, Celtic Park, the last chance to salvage the title race after letting it slip. Defeated.

Scottish Cup Final at Hampden. Rodgers’ team not firing, yet they still win it at the death through Adam Idah. September in the East End. Scudded. Back to Hampden just under a fortnight ago. Whatever the nonsense and statements, silly talk about replays and credit for the performance, it was defeat. Again.

 

Listen, I understand that Clement was on the backfoot when he took the role and that Rodgers had a head start on him in terms of personnel. But you can’t go seven games against Celtic without a win. Especially, not when your team is chucking in performances like they did in Paisley on Thursday night.

 

The events of the past fortnight are just typical of what’s happening with Clement. Rangers gave themselves yet another dose of hope at Hampden 13 days ago. Having completely messed up to fall 11 points behind the league, they came close to the trophy.