Philippe Clement’s Monaco tweet comes at a bad time, as the Rangers’ honeymoon ends in disappointment.
Philippe Clement’s honeymoon with the Rangers is officially over, and the former Monaco manager is now entrusted with avoiding a divorce. While no one is urging that the Belgian walk in the aftermath of the club’s latest title defeat, with criticism focused more on his team’s periodic letdowns, we are approaching a critical crossroads. Philippe Clement’s honeymoon with the Rangers is officially over, and the former Monaco manager is now entrusted with avoiding a divorce. While no one is urging that the Belgian walk in the aftermath of the club’s latest title defeat, with criticism focused more on his team’s periodic letdowns, we are approaching a critical crossroads.
Rangers fans will never settle for second place. The core of this Rangers team, three of whom were recently filleted on BBC Scotland, appear to have accepted it. In the midst of a title threat, the same old faces are generating the same old outcomes, and tolerance with their product has worn thin among a dissatisfied Rangers fan base.
Changes are necessary, there is no doubt about that, but Philippe Clement does not emerge from his six months in the Glasgow sun with a glowing tan. A victim of his own success, perhaps after convincing us all that a title was achievable, how the next several months play out will determine the Belgian’s reputation at Ibrox, with fans already raising concerns. Philippe Clement Monaco tweet raises eyebrows. A tweet regarding Philippe Clement from renowned French football journalist Robin Bairner has gone viral online.
The telegram, written following the appointment of ex-AS Monaco boss Clement at Rangers, sought to shed light on the Belgian’s experience in France.
Claiming that Philippe Clement had Monaco firing during the honeymoon period of his hiring in Ligue 1, what transpired next may concern Rangers fans. Bairner claims that Clement’s time in France came to an end when he failed to “rally his side after key losses”.
That’s a trend that has continued into his Rangers tenure, with the Ibrox side’s title collapse sparked by a 2-1 loss to Motherwell at Ibrox in early March. Prior to this encounter, Rangers had won 11 consecutive Scottish Premiership matches. Rangers have won only one of their last five league games, including the loss against the Steelmen. It’s two out of eight in all competitions.
Given the recent events, Rangers fans will be particularly interested in the comments concerning “questionable” team selection. Rangers fans have complained about the club’s continued use of Connor Goldson and Fabio Silva despite their disappointing performances, as well as starts for Borna Barisic (Ross County) and Scott Wright (Celtic) in crucial games.
Rangers boss faces a critical summer. After the 0-0 stalemate with Dundee, Philippe Clement was defiant. So much so that the Belgian manager has irritated a few Rangers fans by insisting his club did recover from the Ross County disaster at Dens Park. The Ibrox boss also urged fans to support the team, suggesting that Rangers can still win the title – however only if they achieve something the club has previously considered unthinkable. In the heat of the title fight, we’ll give Big Phil the freedom to control the media and his words however he sees fit. After all, miracles happen.
But if Clement truly believes that his performance against Dundee was acceptable, we can’t blame you for being concerned. Before a busy summer, the Belgian must make some important decisions. Rangers need more mentally tough matchwinners, leaders, and talent this summer, and fans have begun to turn against the squad for the last time. Six first-teamers are out of contract, with Borna Barisic, Ryan Jack, Kemar Roofe, Jon McLaughlin, and Leon Balogun all expected to go.
John Lundstram, who the Rangers want to sign to a new contract, is losing supporters with each mishandled pass. At this point in the season, James Tavernier and Connor Goldson look as if they’re playing on stilts.
Their contributions have been legendary at times, yet when it comes down to it, both are not only prone to making blunders, but they are also openly targeted by opponent teams. Then there are loan agreements for Abdallah Sima, Fabio Silva, and Oscar Cortes. It means that no matter what happens in the final month of the season, we’re in for a summer full of change. If Philippe Clement wants a long and healthy marriage with the Rangers, he needs to make the right judgments on all of these guys.