Football News: Is questioning Rangers' Manager Justified?

Is questioning Philippe Clement's position as Glasgow Rangers manager justified? Or is it a combination of hurt, anger at the failing of another false dawn? Clement inherited a team that was struggling both domestically and in Europe.

A team that was knocked out of the Champions League qualifier including a thumping 5-1 defeat away from home. We had already been beat by Kilmarnock, Celtic and a terrible Aberdeen side in the league.

We'd struggled past Morton in the League Cup. We'd been beaten by Aris Limassol away in the Europa League (EL). He'd inherited a squad where many of the players, including the new recruits were already deemed as not good enough by many of the fans.

A squad that wasn't good enough the previous 2 seasons was bolstered by 9 new players in the summer to improve the squad; Dowell, Sterling, Butland, Lammers, Sima, Dessers, Balogun, Danilo and Cifuentes.

Of those 9, only Butland and Dessers have always been available. The other 7 have either been injured or in Cifuentes' case, sent on loan in January. We also brought a further 3 players in on loan / transfer in January - Silva, Diomande and Cortes.

Cortes who looked an exciting talent was injured early doors and is out for the season. Diomande has looked the part at times. Silva for supposedly being worth £35 million, has been a serious disappointment.

Even the original squad players have suffered injuries; Barisic, Yilmaz, Souttar, Davies, Goldson, Jack, Raskin, Lawrence, Cantwell, Matondo, Roofe, McCausland and Lovelace. Lowry was also sent back from his loan at Hearts with an injury.

20 players in total throughout the season - many at the same time - who have carried injuries. And whose game time has been managed or limited. For us to then under Clement won the League Cup, progressed again to the last 16 of EL, got to the final of the Scottish Cup and more importantly got into contention to challenge for the league is incredible.

Unfortunately, we then imploded at the wrong time; A defeat to Motherwell, a draw to Celtic at home. Beat by Ross County and a draw with Dundee left us needing to win at Parkhead, where we failed to beat Celtic for the 4th time this season.

But not bad if you put it all together, the poor start in the league, [with hindsight] the poor recruitment in the summer (though some on here did have their doubts) and the injuries to crucial players at unfortunate times.

Yes, some of Clement's tactics and team selections were questionable over the last few games, but we will never know if that was down to players carrying a niggle or simply not fit to start.

And let's be honest, before every game, we all like to play Football Manager on here and we all select many different formations. Was Clement actually over achieving with a group of players who have all been vilified for their performances at one point or another in their Rangers careers?

Constructive criticism of the manager is always justified. Calling for his head after steadying a sinking ship? I'm not so sure. IMHO, Clement got a tune out of a group of players, who unfortunately for him and us the fans, reverted to type and the same old failings reared their ugly heads again.

The players again have let the fans and Clement down. Clement is only guilty of giving us hope after it had been evaporated under Beale by the end of September.

Written by MrPotatoHead May 13 2024 14:18:38