There cannot be a Rangers fan out there who needs to be told that gaffer Philippe Clement’s first full season in charge is not exactly going to plan.
Having replaced Michael Beale in the Ibrox hot seat back in October 2023, our 50 year old Belgian manager effectively had an immediate impact and we started to play some decent football, pushed up the Scottish Premiership table and seized top spot for a period, and although we unfortunately could not sustain that challenge, there was huge optimism surrounding what we could maybe achieve when he had a full transfer window and pre season campaign under his belt.
We certainly had a busy summer window with Clement and director of football recruitment, Nils Koppen, making a strong pivot to younger players who carried developmental potential, and therefore sell on value for future investment into the first team squad. Whether or not we struck the correct balance in our transfer dealings and attempts to reshape Clement’s squad options has been a well trodden topic of conversation amongst the faithful since the window slammed shut on deadline day.
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If the reports about our planned January window dealings prove to be true, with us apparently having a strong desire to significantly improve and strengthen in a few key positions, the logical guess is to assume that even if the club are fully 100% happy with their dealings – we intended to make further signings to provide a greater balance – and had we managed to do so, maybe we would have had a more rounded start to the campaign. For those fans who like a flutter and pay attention to the best bookmakers listed by Sigma, a better start to the year was probably exactly what they were expecting before it went a little bit pear shaped.
Two wins from three Europa League games, goes with six wins from nine in our domestic league battle, and whilst our goal difference leaves a lot to be desired right now, we are six points shy of top spot and have already wasted one opportunity to slightly shrink that deficit on the two clubs immediately above us. This weeks clash with second place Aberdeen as we make the trip to Pittodrie Stadium is our next chance to claw some of those six points back, but Clement’s plans have already suffered a small blow as the former professional defender has confirmed that he could well be without key men John Souttar and Tom Lawrence for a second consecutive game.
Both players missed out on the 2-1 victory over Stephen Robinson’s St Mirren side last weekend, but it was hoped that both would then be quickly passed fit for this clash. However, with doctor’s orders ruling out 28 year old centre half Souttar, and 30 year old attacker Lawrence having to sit St Mirren out with the knock he picked up against Steaua Bucharest, at this moment in time both players are going to have their involvement decided by very late fitness tests.
Despite the pressure that Clement now finds himself under, it is not believed that Wednesday evening’s clash with Jimmy Thelin’s surprisingly impressive Dons side is considered ‘make or break’ or ‘last chance saloon’ when it comes to his continued future at the club. However, for very obvious reasons as an unexpected top of the table challenger, a defeat that sees us fall nine points behind them would naturally carry major ramifications to his Govan future, and this would not be an easy tie if we were at full strength anyway given the form that they are in.
One thing is for sure though, and the Belgian was clearly aware of this fact as well, was that we simply have to be sharper, quicker, more competent and competitive when compared to the performance we again put in against The Buddies. Having dominated all the telling statistics in the game, it should have been a comfortable win that made a small improvement to our goal difference, but we were wasteful and plenty in the fanbase would have been left again muttering the word ‘lacklustre’. It was not how we wanted to backup the clear improvement, and very impressive 4-0 win over Steaua in the previous game.
With the Dons being unbeaten in nine, and with eight wins to their name, we have to make our chances count in this one and a repeat performance of our efforts on Thursday would be exactly what the doctor ordered and it would again begin to allay tensions and frustrations.
It should also be remembered that right now, the pressure is not just on Clement, there was another fan banner on display with criticism aimed squarely at the performance of the board, and their continued failure to make the long awaited key appointments that fans have been waiting for off the pitch, so other areas of the club could again begin to move forward.
Neither situation will be improved by a failure to pick up another three points.
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