In the aftermath of Sunday’s latest humiliating chapter in what is becoming a real page-turner of a season for Rangers, Philippe Clement mounted yet another defence of the indefensible.
Questioned if he would consider his Ibrox future following the shock Scottish Cup exit at the hands of lowly Queen’s Park, the boss replied: ‘No, I don’t expect this (talks with the board) because you can put another manager in this game — would it be different in this sense?’
In hindsight, it would probably be best for the Belgian not to ask questions he might not like the answer to.
Clement, of course, believes change is unnecessary and that the club is evolving. And yes, a cup shock in isolation should not necessarily mean the end of a manager. But, given the league games Rangers have slipped up in already this season, Sunday could not be considered just a blip. It was not the equivalent of Arne Slot sending the Liverpool reserves out against Plymouth and coming undone.
Indeed, if you are seeking a more pertinent comparison then one much closer to home was provided by a timely anniversary.
It was 25 years ago today/yesterday that then-Parkhead manager John Barnes was shown the door following the club’s infamous Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Inverness ‘Super Caley’ Thistle.
Philippe Clement insisted he would not quit in the wake of his club’s Scottish Cup horror show
James Tavernier’s late missed penalty ensured Rangers fell to their worst ever Cup upset
Inverness Caley Thistle’s 3-1 win at Celtic Park spelled the end for John Barnes in 2000
The Celtic board took 48 hours before delivering their verdict and the Liverpool legend’s brief tenure in the east end of Glasgow was over. Kenny Dalglish stepped in until the end of the season, with the club eventually finishing a mammoth 21 points behind Rangers.
Martin O’Neill was appointed that summer, the Northern Irishman going on to deliver three titles in five years plus an unforgettable run to the UEFA Cup final in Seville. A different manager *can* make a difference, it seems…
Rangers’ 1-0 defeat to another Championship side is arguably the equivalent in terms of cup shocks. Certainly, the backlash from supporters has been equally as fierce.
All they have been left with is a place in the last-16 of the Europa League. And sure, fans could dream of another final. It has happened before. But is that really what matters?
It may seem strange to write off a shot at European glory but if Rangers don’t finally start looking at the bigger picture then Celtic’s domestic dominance will continue ad nauseam.
The big money is to be found in the Champions League. For Rangers, it would be game-changing. But unless they stop dining at the kids’ table of the Europa League and pretending it’s for grown-ups then they are going to fall further behind their rivals.
Robin Propper sinks to his knees as the Ibrox club slide to their latest humiliating setback
A second-half goal from Queen’s Park substitute Seb Drozd was enough to seal a seismic shock
Clement talks repeatedly about the ‘progression’ of his squad. But a starting point for that would be consistency of performance and that simply hasn’t happened.
Win, lose, repeat. Every step forward is followed by a tumble head-first down the stairs, never mind a step or two back.
‘They built back credit with the fans in the last weeks and months. Today, they lost everything,’ Clement admitted on Sunday of a side containing a whole host of first-team regulars.
But then he pointed to their success in Europe. The Belgian uses it as a shield but it can’t deflect from the truth of the matter. In fact, it merely highlights that there remain serious issues in terms of mentality if a team can perform on the continent but can’t hack it in the rough and tumble of the Scottish game.
If an Old Firm manager does not understand that he needs a team to compete for the Premiership first and foremost, then surely he is failing what in today’s club corporate strategy jargon would be dubbed ‘Mission One’? It certainly shouldn’t be Mission Impossible in what remains a two-horse race.
Rangers CEO Patrick Stewart previously claimed that finances would not dictate whether Clement survived in the hotseat, so the money is apparently there if they decide enough is enough.
So really, the only question the Ibrox board should ask is: do they believe Clement is the right man in the long term?
Rangers had never previously lost at home to a lower division side in the Scottish Cup
Cyriel Dessers rues a missed opportunity for Rangers, a familiar sight for fans at Ibrox
It’s understandable, given the recent revolving door of managers at Rangers, that they are reluctant to admit that he is not.
You look at a club like Manchester United who have gone through bosses at an alarming rate since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. And it has not brought them the success they need.
So caution about appointing the right man for the job is necessary. But correcting an obvious error does not require such circumspection.
Parkhead manager Brendan Rodgers has previously spoken about the ‘weight of the jersey’ being different when asked why a player he had deemed surplus to requirements had succeeded on departing the club. It is the same for those in the dugout.
To be fair, Clement has publicly remained stoic in the face of fierce criticism this season and all Old Firm managers must be stout of heart. But there is a fault in the character of his team and the evidence suggests his force of personality is simply not strong enough to prevent the damaging lapses that have blighted their season.
‘Clement has already had a lot of criticism — and rightly so, in my opinion,’ said former Rangers striker Kris Boyd. ‘Thirteen points behind Celtic in the league, out of the Scottish Cup to Queen’s Park at home and lost the League Cup final to Celtic. Yes, they have qualified for the last-16 of the Europa League but domestically — when I was growing up — was the be all and end all. And right now it’s not good enough.
‘You talk about not wanting the rinse and repeat of managers — you have to do that until you find the right manager. You can’t just say because we sacked the last three managers we are going to continue with this one. It doesn’t work like that.’
Clement was bullish about his position in the immediate aftermath of defeat
Barnes only had to wait 48 hours before being put out of his misery after the loss to Inverness
Of course, those who question what a change of manager would achieve, Clement included, would also ask who could do a better job. And it’s a fair question. Any appointment is, of course, a gamble.
Call for a ‘Rangers man’ and you would be dubbed a dinosaur. Suggest utilising analytics, a la Hearts, and you’re an XG Hipster.
In truth, personality must come into it. This is a job that weighs heavier than most. It needs broad shoulders and a focused mind.
The managers who have achieved success over the last 25 years in Scotland have all been fierce of character, whether it be O’Neill or Walter Smith, Gordon Strachan or Alex McLeish, Rodgers or Steven Gerrard.
Rangers need a fire lit. It’s up to their board to provide it.
