Rangers fans see right through Philippe Clement as boss warned over ‘ridiculous’ comments

Philippe Clement must be careful not to lose the trust of Rangers fans as the authority of last season has fallen away, according to Derek Ferguson.

 

The Belgian’s reputation has fallen since his hugely-impressive introduction in place of Michael Beale last year, having thrown away a lead in the title race as form fell apart.

A frustrating summer transfer window then left a squad in need of an overhaul only partly dealt with and fears for the new season were realised with a 3-0 hammering at Celtic Park on 1 September.

 

Clement took a lot of flack in the aftermath for trying to play down the damage done in the Old Firm derby with reference to the 6-0 win over Ross County a week earlier on 24 August [Rangers Review, 1 September].

 

Ferguson believes that stance was “ridiculous” and warns that the manager needs to avoid such behaviour as fans, and potentially board members, will quickly see through it.

Clement was given a year’s contract extension ahead of the new season and are said to have decided to stick with him even if results are poor this term [The Herald, 27 July].

Ferguson exclusively told Ibrox News in relation to how the manager is now seen: “Well he’s got to be careful, because it was a ridiculous comment to come out and reference a game against a team that’d been beaten by Spartans the week before.

The one thing, Rangers fans are not stupid so just tell it the way it is, so don’t try and make excuses, don’t try and kid us on.

“Because if you do that fans see right through you, even board members, although we don’t know what they think half the time.

 

“But he’s just got to be careful because when he first came into the club I had no doubt. I thought this is the man for the job because he had that authority about him.