Philippe Clement issued Rangers sack warning – and the result which could trigger his exit before Halloween
Rangers manager Philippe Clement is coming under increasing scrutiny from his own supporters after the 1-0 loss at Kilmarnock on Sunday put a major dent in their title hopes.
The Ibrox side had the chance to close the gap on Celtic and Aberdeen at the top of the William Hill Premiership to just three points after the top two had battled out a 2-2 draw at Parkhead on Saturday. But instead, the defeat left Rangers six points behind after eight league matches, only a point ahead of fourth-placed Dundee United.
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Clement appears to have the backing of the Rangers board for now but he is struggling to retain the support of the fanbase with many now calling for a change after a series of setbacks and poor performances.
His year-long tenure started with a League Cup final win over Aberdeen and a 17-game unbeaten run but dropped points against the likes of Ross County and Dundee in the closing weeks of last season cost Rangers a shot at the title.
Rangers manager Philppe Clement is coming under pressure after the 1-0 defeat at Kilmarnock. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)
Rangers manager Philppe Clement is coming under pressure after the 1-0 defeat at Kilmarnock. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group) | SNS Group
They also lost the Scottish Cup final to Celtic before going down 3-0 in the opening Old Firm derby of the current season to leave Clement’s record in the all-important Glasgow derby standing at four defeats and one draw. A tame exit from the Champions League at the hands of Dynamo Kyiv was a further black mark as well as the goalless draw against Hearts on the opening day – the only point that Jambos collected from their opening six games.
The Belgian has won only nine of his last 18 league matches and league sponsors William Hill have set odds of 5/4 for the 50-year-old to be sacked before Christmas. Chris Sutton, the former Celtic striker turned pundit, reckons Clement could be relieved of his duties before Halloween if things don’t improve quickly.
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Rangers face Steaua Bucharest in the Europa League on Thursday before hosting St Mirren on Sunday. But Sutton reckons it’s the trip to Pittodrie to face Jimmy Thelin’s currently unbeaten Dons side on Wednesday, October 30 that could make-or-break his tenure.
He told the It’s All Kicking Off podcast: “Philippe Clement has said ‘I need time’ and I get that, there’s been a massive overhaul.
“But it’s okay – as there was after the Celtic game – when there’s 200 fans standing outside Ibrox and shouting their dissatisfaction. But when that mob grows and it’s 1000, 2000 or 5,000, then there’s gonna be trouble.
“They’ve got Steaua Bucharest in the Europa League on Thursday. They’ve got St Mirren at home then they’ve got Aberdeen away. Now that’s a huge game because if the gap stays at six points to Aberdeen and then Aberdeen widen that gap to nine points, that’s when I think Philippe Clement could come under severe pressure because Rangers fans will just now accept that. There’s no disrespect to Aberdeen, but I think that will be a turning point if Rangers lose that one.”
Related topics:Philippe ClementRangersCelticScottish Premiership
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