
Clement’s old boss urges Rangers to back ‘smart’ manager
Philippe Clement’s old boss has urged Rangers to stick with him.
Philippe Clement’s old boss has urged Rangers to stick with him. (Image: Alan Harvey – SNS Group)
Philippe Clement’s old boss has told Rangers to stick with him despite mounting pressure.
Georges Leekens gave Clement his first Belgium cap in 1998 and brought him to Club Brugge as his number two 14 years later.
Having worked with Clement both as a player and coach, Leekens reckons Rangers have to get behind him and let him finish the job he started: “I have known Philippe for a long time,” the 75-year-old told SunSport.
“He played for me with Belgium, then I brought him in as a coach with Brugge.
“He was a smart player and he is a smart coach — and Rangers are his life right now.
“Philippe puts everything into his work, and I have seen him develop as a coach, winning titles in Belgium.”
Rangers’ potential Europa League opponents results roundup
Balogun labels international retirement claims ‘fake news’
Results haven’t gone the way of Clement and Co. this season.
Although they’ve had an impressive Europa League campaign so far, Rangers have been continually inconsistent on the domestic front.
They are currently 13 points behind Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership and lost 1-0 to Championship side Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup on Sunday.
Leekens, however, has urged supporters to not just consider the here and now: “I understand there are critics right now after the last defeat in the cup, but there is a bigger picture,” he said.
“This is the time when the people running Rangers need to stay strong behind Philippe. They need to stick together.
“In difficult periods, there has to be even more support of what he is doing, and the difficult task he has been given. He will get through this period. Philippe will understand the critics, as that is part of the job.
“But he will also work hard to get over this period and show that he can be a successful Rangers coach.”
Leekens’ backing comes after it was revealed that Patrick Stewart and the Rangers hierarchy are keeping Clement in his post because there is ‘so much else to fix’ in the club’s footballing department, and not due to financial issues.
How Rangers’ next potential Europa League opponents fared in playoff first legs
Ex-Rangers ace announces retirement at 35
Company leading Rangers’ internal review revealed
‘Not financially driven’: Patrick Stewart’s Philippe Clement stance revealed
Philippe Clement’s old boss urges Rangers to ‘stay strong’ and back ‘smart’ manager
Hearts vs Rangers: TV channel, live stream & kick-off time
‘Not an option’ – Ex-Rangers boss rules out emotional return to former club
‘Terrible’ – Ally McCoist finally breaks Rangers vs Queen’s Park silence
Rangers defender labels international retirement claims ‘fake news’
Exclusive: Inside Rangers’ academy overhaul – No B team, Kevin Thomson, SFA hopes
This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation’s Editors’ Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here
Be the first to comment