Philippe Clement finds himself under immense pressure as Rangers' manager after yet another disappointing defeat, this time against St Mirren, which has put his position at risk just days before the highly anticipated Glasgow Derby against Celtic. With Celtic leading the Scottish Premiership by 12 points, Clement's performance is being closely watched as the team seeks to bounce back from their recent shortcomings.
Last week, Clement's Rangers suffered a heart-wrenching 2-1 defeat at the hands of St Mirren. This loss, described by the manager as 'unacceptable', has turned the spotlight on the Belgian, who only joined the club in 2023. Chris Sutton, a former Celtic striker and now pundit, has been vocal about the precarious nature of Clement's role, stating, "Clement could easily be his next victim within the next few days" after the upcoming clash with Celtic.
Brendan Rodgers, who has had significant success at Celtic, is seen as the primary challenger for Clement. Sutton highlighted how Rodgers has consistently outperformed Rangers managers, saying, “He’s thrust most of them out the door, and Philippe Clement could easily be his next victim.” This upcoming fixture could risk sending Clement out of the job should Rangers fail to secure victory at Ibrox.
The relationship between Clement and Rangers’ fanbase has been strained, with numerous supporters expressing frustration over his management style and decisions. Sutton echoed this sentiment, noting, "Clement has burned too many bridges with the fans" and referencing the growing discontent for his tactical choices and lack of consistency even when the team seemed to be improving.
Rangers' away form has been particularly troubling, with four defeats recorded out of eight league matches this season. Danilo, the Brazilian forward, acknowledged this after the St Mirren match, stating, “It’s not our standard... we know our quality, and we knew we could bounce back.” Despite their potential, the Ibrox side has consistently faltered against lower-tier competition.
Craig Houston, reporting for the Scottish Sun, remarked on the potential consequences of the team's performance, stating, "Clement has two games to save his job" against Motherwell and Celtic. He argues if the points gap between Rangers and Celtic increases to 15 points or more, this would be unacceptable, resulting possibly in Clement's dismissal. With recent managerial instability resulting from poor performance, the pressure is noticeably increasing on Clement.
Sutton also urged the need for immediate results from Rangers to maintain any form of hope for their season, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming fixtures. "If [Rangers] had matched Celtic between now and January 2, they would have had the chance to cut the gap to six," he pointed out, which has now widened dramatically due to their recent performance.
Despite the squad being filled with talent, Clement has struggled to motivate them when it counts the most. He faced severe criticism for his substitutions during the St Mirren match, particularly for removing key players like Nedim Bajrami. This tactical misstep highlighted Clement’s difficulties as he seeks to balance squad rotation with maintaining performance levels—a challenge he hasn't overcome effectively.
This week will be pivotal not just for Clement but also for the hopes of Rangers supporters who expect their team to compete remorselessly with Celtic for domestic supremacy. The results of the upcoming matches could determine not only the fate of the current season but also the tenure of Clement at the helm.
With the massive weight of expectations looming over him, it remains to be seen whether Clement can change the narrative surrounding his position. The Rangers faithful are waiting impatiently for the team to demonstrate their capabilities on the pitch, particularly against the fiercest of rivals.
The Old Firm derby is always filled with heightened emotions and stakes, and with Clement's position possibly hanging by a thread, the encounter promises to carry even greater significance. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely, assessing whether Clement can finally deliver the results to secure his future, or if he will find himself at the mercy of pressure and expectations.
Only time will tell as the tension mounts around the Ibrox this New Year’s fixture. A successful outing could rejuvenate Clement's standing within the club, providing him with the necessary support to move past this tumultuous phase. Otherwise, another defeat could lead to inevitable calls for his dismissal.
