Rangers fans told the ONE thing Philippe Clement needs as trusted ally insists ‘he’s done it everywhere he’s gone’
Johan van Rumst delivered an exclusive insight to the Belgian and why the supporter must stick with him
Rangers manager Philippe Clement
Get the latest news from Record Sport with our daily newsletter
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info
For five years, Johan van Rumst played the role of engineer’s assistant as Philippe Clement constructed his trophy-winning machine in Belgium.
Together they provided the spark that generated three consecutive league titles at first Genk and then Club Brugge. He was by the big Belgian’s side when their blueprint for success helped motor Monaco into the Champions League. It was only family circumstances that prevented the 46-year-old coach from making the move to Glasgow where Clement set about repairing Rangers’ clapped out line-up.
SIMILAR ARTICLES TO THIS
Powered by
Philippe Clement Rangers sack chat is CRAZY as Belgian’s mentor insists top European clubs would love to have him
Philippe Clement Rangers sack chat is CRAZY as Belgian’s mentor insists top European clubs would love to have him
Philippe Clement told what he should have said after Celtic defeat as Hoops hero explains his ‘worry’ over Rangers boss
Philippe Clement told what he should have said after Celtic defeat as Hoops hero explains his ‘worry’ over Rangers boss
Barry Ferguson reveals Connor Barron doubts over Rangers move and how one key trait has won him over
Barry Ferguson reveals Connor Barron doubts over Rangers move and how one key trait has won him over
Philippe Clement tells Celtic ‘see you in January’ as reeling Rangers boss pleads for patience
Philippe Clement tells Celtic ‘see you in January’ as reeling Rangers boss pleads for patience
Arne Engels targets perfect Belgium birthday bash as Celtic new boy reveals what will change with international call up
Arne Engels targets perfect Belgium birthday bash as Celtic new boy reveals what will change with international call up
Todd Cantwell ‘cooking’ as former Rangers man gives Blackburn fans a glimpse of what he has to offer
Todd Cantwell ‘cooking’ as former Rangers man gives Blackburn fans a glimpse of what he has to offer
Lennon Miller’s ‘time will come’ with Motherwell star in no hurry to move on amid Celtic and Rangers links
Lennon Miller’s ‘time will come’ with Motherwell star in no hurry to move on amid Celtic and Rangers links
Philippe Clement not entertaining Rangers underdog status against slick Celtic machine as he only cares about one thing
Philippe Clement not entertaining Rangers underdog status against slick Celtic machine as he only cares about one thing
Liam Scales told Celtic display against Rangers his best yet as Hoops hero reveals exact reason why
Liam Scales told Celtic display against Rangers his best yet as Hoops hero reveals exact reason why
Philippe Clement WILL win over seething Rangers support in wake of angry Old Firm rammy outside Ibrox
Philippe Clement WILL win over seething Rangers support in wake of angry Old Firm rammy outside Ibrox
Philippe Clement Rangers sack chat is CRAZY as Belgian’s mentor insists top European clubs would love to have him
Philippe Clement Rangers sack chat is CRAZY as Belgian’s mentor insists top European clubs would love to have him
Philippe Clement told what he should have said after Celtic defeat as Hoops hero explains his ‘worry’ over Rangers boss
Philippe Clement told what he should have said after Celtic defeat as Hoops hero explains his ‘worry’ over Rangers boss
Barry Ferguson reveals Connor Barron doubts over Rangers move and how one key trait has won him over
Barry Ferguson reveals Connor Barron doubts over Rangers move and how one key trait has won him over
Philippe Clement tells Celtic ‘see you in January’ as reeling Rangers boss pleads for patience
Philippe Clement tells Celtic ‘see you in January’ as reeling Rangers boss pleads for patience
Arne Engels targets perfect Belgium birthday bash as Celtic new boy reveals what will change with international call up
Arne Engels targets perfect Belgium birthday bash as Celtic new boy reveals what will change with international call up
Todd Cantwell ‘cooking’ as former Rangers man gives Blackburn fans a glimpse of what he has to offer
Todd Cantwell ‘cooking’ as former Rangers man gives Blackburn fans a glimpse of what he has to offer
Lennon Miller’s ‘time will come’ with Motherwell star in no hurry to move on amid Celtic and Rangers links
Lennon Miller’s ‘time will come’ with Motherwell star in no hurry to move on amid Celtic and Rangers links
Philippe Clement not entertaining Rangers underdog status against slick Celtic machine as he only cares about one thing
Philippe Clement not entertaining Rangers underdog status against slick Celtic machine as he only cares about one thing
Liam Scales told Celtic display against Rangers his best yet as Hoops hero reveals exact reason why
Liam Scales told Celtic display against Rangers his best yet as Hoops hero reveals exact reason why
Philippe Clement WILL win over seething Rangers support in wake of angry Old Firm rammy outside Ibrox
Philippe Clement WILL win over seething Rangers support in wake of angry Old Firm rammy outside Ibrox
Philippe Clement Rangers sack chat is CRAZY as Belgian’s mentor insists top European clubs would love to have him
Philippe Clement Rangers sack chat is CRAZY as Belgian’s mentor insists top European clubs would love to have him
Philippe Clement told what he should have said after Celtic defeat as Hoops hero explains his ‘worry’ over Rangers boss
Philippe Clement told what he should have said after Celtic defeat as Hoops hero explains his ‘worry’ over Rangers boss
Barry Ferguson reveals Connor Barron doubts over Rangers move and how one key trait has won him over
Barry Ferguson reveals Connor Barron doubts over Rangers move and how one key trait has won him over
Philippe Clement tells Celtic ‘see you in January’ as reeling Rangers boss pleads for patience
Philippe Clement tells Celtic ‘see you in January’ as reeling Rangers boss pleads for patience
Arne Engels targets perfect Belgium birthday bash as Celtic new boy reveals what will change with international call up
Arne Engels targets perfect Belgium birthday bash as Celtic new boy reveals what will change with international call up
Todd Cantwell ‘cooking’ as former Rangers man gives Blackburn fans a glimpse of what he has to offer
Todd Cantwell ‘cooking’ as former Rangers man gives Blackburn fans a glimpse of what he has to offer
Lennon Miller’s ‘time will come’ with Motherwell star in no hurry to move on amid Celtic and Rangers links
Lennon Miller’s ‘time will come’ with Motherwell star in no hurry to move on amid Celtic and Rangers links
But van Rumst has made sure to keep a close eye on his old partner’s progress in Scotland. At first it appeared Clement had got all his cogs spinning in the right places at Ibrox. But a combination of injuries, budget constraints and off the field cock-ups have combined to throw a spanner in the works at a time when Brendan Rodgers’ supercharged Celtic were zooming off over the horizon.
READ MORE: Should Steve Clarke be facing Scotland sack if Nations League goes same way as Euros? Saturday Jury
READ MORE: Celtic fans are having a party because Rangers are a mess but my old club has bigger fish to fry – Chris Sutton
Clement is now coming under pressure having failed to put a halt to the Parkhead juggernaut with yet another derby demolition last week, with fans also starting to grumble over a style of play that is becoming harder and harder to discern. But van Rumst has no doubt Clement can get the Light Blues’ engine going again having seen his previous sides drilled endlessly until the point where they operated like clockwork.
The only requirement, the Ibrox boss’ former No2 advises, is time. He told Record Sport: “I worked with Philippe for six years. We had some difficult moments during that time but many more good ones. It was all based on hard work. That’s how we always did it in Genk and Brugge. We trained unbelievable hours on our system so it became like a machine.
“In Genk it was amazing. We won a title. We won two more in Brugge. We used the same 4-3-3 in Monaco too. When I watched Rangers last year, John Lundstram was an important player for Philippe.
Top Stories
1
Should Steve Clarke be facing Scotland sack if Nations League goes same way as Euros? Saturday Jury
2
Celtic fans are having a party because Rangers are a mess but my old club has bigger fish to fry – Chris Sutton
3
Renfrewshire hospice team is bowled over by magnificent sum raised by supporters
“He was always the low midfielder who took the ball off the centre backs, which allowed the full backs to push up. But he’s left, so maybe Philippe is looking for that kind of midfielder again.
“I’ve seen Connor Barron coming short this season, but he never goes so deep to make it a back three the way Lundstram did. The main reason we always try to make three at the back is that Philippe loves depth with his wingers.
“With Abdallah Sima last season on the left side, I remember his runs in behind the defence. Philippe loved that, because we did that with Krepin Diatta at Brugge who was very similar.
“He likes to have one winger who comes towards the ball and one who goes in behind. But all these patterns, they cannot be taught in one day. This is a new team for Rangers this season and it takes time to learn these movements.
“We did it with Waasland-Beveren and to be fair, that club has half the quality of Rangers. But we did it there with simple patterns, so for sure Philippe can do it in Glasgow too. He just needs time.
“I know Philippe and the way he wants to play. It’s attacking, it’s dominant, it’s creating chances, it’s with full backs high, wingers inside, strikers pressing. I know he can drill that into his players.
“OK the Rangers fans are a little bit furious for the moment, that’s normal. But you have to give him more time because he has achieved all this before many times, he’s done it everywhere he’s gone.”
Philippe Clement and Brendan Rodgers on touchline
Some will say it’s not weeks and months Clement needs but money. But with billionaire bluenoses in short supply, van Rumst reckons his old pal – who admits his devotion to the game cost him his first marriage – will make up for that by spending even more hours tinkering with his team.
He said: “Philippe’s a football addict. “His mind doesn’t stop thinking about how to improve his team. He was like that in Genk, even more in Brugge.
Don’t miss
Todd Cantwell is still a Rangers motor mouth as ‘silly wee boy’ angers Hotline clamouring for Scotland change
The 2 Celtic line-ups Brendan Rodgers has at his fingertips for assault on Champions League and Scotland
Boots’ ‘little bottle of magic’ that ‘reverses wrinkles by five years’ slashed by half-price
“When we were in Monaco, we were separated from our families. So he had still more time to concentrate on football. I don’t know how he’s handling that in Glasgow but the more you work, maybe you don’t see the global things. Maybe he needs a step back.
“I think he’s learned that you need to take a bigger view of what’s going on. Philippe is going through two really tough weeks after that Celtic loss and he’ll wish the next game was tomorrow already, to change the attitude.
“He’s coming under a little bit of pressure because of the Celtic defeat. What Philippe will do now is analyse that game and what he did wrong. He’s not the guy who thinks everybody else is to blame and it’s not his fault. He’s hard on himself.”
Hotline Live: Tune in and have your say
In case you haven’t heard, we’ve launched a new Hotline Live show, airing at 6pm every day, with the exception of Fridays and Saturdays.
Join our panel for a laugh, a moan and a look at all things Scottish football, as well as having your say on the biggest issues in the game.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel so you never miss a single episode.
Alternatively, you can watch on Facebook or Twitter.
Need to get something off your chest? Have your say on what’s happening in the world of Scottish football by contacting us at [email protected].
You can find out more about the show here and also catch up on previous episodes with our full Hotline Live playlist on YouTube.
Speculation is growing that Clement’s position could be in trouble if he allows his ragged Rangers to fall any further behind Celtic. That seems unlikely given it was only a month ago the Ibrox board dealt him in with a fresh four-year contract.
SIMILAR ARTICLES TO THIS
Powered by
Philippe Clement WILL win over seething Rangers support in wake of angry Old Firm rammy outside Ibrox
Philippe Clement WILL win over seething Rangers support in wake of angry Old Firm rammy outside Ibrox
Philippe Clement Rangers sack chat is CRAZY as Belgian’s mentor insists top European clubs would love to have him
Philippe Clement Rangers sack chat is CRAZY as Belgian’s mentor insists top European clubs would love to have him
Philippe Clement told what he should have said after Celtic defeat as Hoops hero explains his ‘worry’ over Rangers boss
Philippe Clement told what he should have said after Celtic defeat as Hoops hero explains his ‘worry’ over Rangers boss
Barry Ferguson reveals Connor Barron doubts over Rangers move and how one key trait has won him over
Barry Ferguson reveals Connor Barron doubts over Rangers move and how one key trait has won him over
Philippe Clement tells Celtic ‘see you in January’ as reeling Rangers boss pleads for patience
Philippe Clement tells Celtic ‘see you in January’ as reeling Rangers boss pleads for patience
Arne Engels targets perfect Belgium birthday bash as Celtic new boy reveals what will change with international call up
Arne Engels targets perfect Belgium birthday bash as Celtic new boy reveals what will change with international call up
Todd Cantwell ‘cooking’ as former Rangers man gives Blackburn fans a glimpse of what he has to offer
Todd Cantwell ‘cooking’ as former Rangers man gives Blackburn fans a glimpse of what he has to offer
Lennon Miller’s ‘time will come’ with Motherwell star in no hurry to move on amid Celtic and Rangers links
Lennon Miller’s ‘time will come’ with Motherwell star in no hurry to move on amid Celtic and Rangers links
Philippe Clement not entertaining Rangers underdog status against slick Celtic machine as he only cares about one thing
Philippe Clement not entertaining Rangers underdog status against slick Celtic machine as he only cares about one thing
Liam Scales told Celtic display against Rangers his best yet as Hoops hero reveals exact reason why
Liam Scales told Celtic display against Rangers his best yet as Hoops hero reveals exact reason why
Philippe Clement WILL win over seething Rangers support in wake of angry Old Firm rammy outside Ibrox
Philippe Clement WILL win over seething Rangers support in wake of angry Old Firm rammy outside Ibrox
Philippe Clement Rangers sack chat is CRAZY as Belgian’s mentor insists top European clubs would love to have him
Philippe Clement Rangers sack chat is CRAZY as Belgian’s mentor insists top European clubs would love to have him
Philippe Clement told what he should have said after Celtic defeat as Hoops hero explains his ‘worry’ over Rangers boss
Philippe Clement told what he should have said after Celtic defeat as Hoops hero explains his ‘worry’ over Rangers boss
Barry Ferguson reveals Connor Barron doubts over Rangers move and how one key trait has won him over
Barry Ferguson reveals Connor Barron doubts over Rangers move and how one key trait has won him over
Philippe Clement tells Celtic ‘see you in January’ as reeling Rangers boss pleads for patience
Philippe Clement tells Celtic ‘see you in January’ as reeling Rangers boss pleads for patience
Arne Engels targets perfect Belgium birthday bash as Celtic new boy reveals what will change with international call up
Arne Engels targets perfect Belgium birthday bash as Celtic new boy reveals what will change with international call up
Todd Cantwell ‘cooking’ as former Rangers man gives Blackburn fans a glimpse of what he has to offer
Todd Cantwell ‘cooking’ as former Rangers man gives Blackburn fans a glimpse of what he has to offer
Lennon Miller’s ‘time will come’ with Motherwell star in no hurry to move on amid Celtic and Rangers links
Lennon Miller’s ‘time will come’ with Motherwell star in no hurry to move on amid Celtic and Rangers links
Philippe Clement not entertaining Rangers underdog status against slick Celtic machine as he only cares about one thing
Philippe Clement not entertaining Rangers underdog status against slick Celtic machine as he only cares about one thing
Liam Scales told Celtic display against Rangers his best yet as Hoops hero reveals exact reason why
Liam Scales told Celtic display against Rangers his best yet as Hoops hero reveals exact reason why
Philippe Clement WILL win over seething Rangers support in wake of angry Old Firm rammy outside Ibrox
Philippe Clement WILL win over seething Rangers support in wake of angry Old Firm rammy outside Ibrox
Philippe Clement Rangers sack chat is CRAZY as Belgian’s mentor insists top European clubs would love to have him
Philippe Clement Rangers sack chat is CRAZY as Belgian’s mentor insists top European clubs would love to have him
Philippe Clement told what he should have said after Celtic defeat as Hoops hero explains his ‘worry’ over Rangers boss
Philippe Clement told what he should have said after Celtic defeat as Hoops hero explains his ‘worry’ over Rangers boss
Barry Ferguson reveals Connor Barron doubts over Rangers move and how one key trait has won him over
Barry Ferguson reveals Connor Barron doubts over Rangers move and how one key trait has won him over
Philippe Clement tells Celtic ‘see you in January’ as reeling Rangers boss pleads for patience
Philippe Clement tells Celtic ‘see you in January’ as reeling Rangers boss pleads for patience
Arne Engels targets perfect Belgium birthday bash as Celtic new boy reveals what will change with international call up
Arne Engels targets perfect Belgium birthday bash as Celtic new boy reveals what will change with international call up
Todd Cantwell ‘cooking’ as former Rangers man gives Blackburn fans a glimpse of what he has to offer
Todd Cantwell ‘cooking’ as former Rangers man gives Blackburn fans a glimpse of what he has to offer
Lennon Miller’s ‘time will come’ with Motherwell star in no hurry to move on amid Celtic and Rangers links
Lennon Miller’s ‘time will come’ with Motherwell star in no hurry to move on amid Celtic and Rangers links
Philippe Clement not entertaining Rangers underdog status against slick Celtic machine as he only cares about one thing
Philippe Clement not entertaining Rangers underdog status against slick Celtic machine as he only cares about one thing
Liam Scales told Celtic display against Rangers his best yet as Hoops hero reveals exact reason why
Liam Scales told Celtic display against Rangers his best yet as Hoops hero reveals exact reason why
But if the strain is increasing, van Rumst insists it’s nothing Clement hasn’t dealt with before having been axed by Monaco after just 18 months in the Principality. Yeah, the pressure in Monaco was huge,” he said. “But we also had it in Brugge in the last year when we became champions in the playoffs.
“But Philippe always stays calm in those moments. He’s very rational, he tries
