There are few doubts amongst Rangers fans when it comes to the impact that manager Philippe Clement has had at Ibrox since his arrival back in mid-October as Michael Beale’s replacement, but as we hit the true business end of the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership campaign, there can also be no denying that we have so far had a poor April and in the battle for top spot, the gap has now slightly grown. It was not a great March either, and our record is now two wins in the last eight across all competitions.
Following the incredibly poor 3-2 defeat to Ross County in Dingwall, we simply had to pick up all three points in the midweek clash against Dundee, but as we know, we could only take a point from what could be a very damaging result for our title hopes when we look back at the end of the year and you can find match predictions on Sportytrader if you want to look at the coming weeks.
Whilst our results this month will not change how successful our 50 year old Belgian has proven to be so far, it does serve as a timely reminder of just how much more work there still is to do, and having his first summer to wheel and deal in the transfer market and further shape the squad, along with having a proper pre season should be massive on that front.
What next season may hold in store for us has to wait right now though, as there are games to play and whilst there is a points gap to close, it is not insurmountable if we quickly get back to the form and performance levels that we know we can show.
Everybody was hoping that would begin with Sunday’s Hampden Park clash with Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Cup semi final, and after the stir caused by what many fans would consider to be Dujon Sterling’s very honest appraisal of our recent performances, many were looking at what part the 24 year old would play and whether we would see a significant response from the players.
Having arrived over the summer on a four year deal from Premier League side Chelsea, the former England Under 20 international has settled in pretty well really, and his versatility has already proven to be an asset, and many in the fan base already feel that we will see far more from him next season when he is far better adjusted at the club, as he has also been held back by fitness issues this year.
In response to the hugely frustrating Dundee game, the player did not mix his words claiming that performances recently suggested basically that the players had accepted the ‘season is dead’ and that there was nothing left to fight for.
He also offered ‘We owe ourselves a performance as well because we have been s*** the past three games’ before stating again that the fans themselves deserved far better but he felt it was a belief issue.
Clement did not really criticise him when asked about his words, instead choosing to say that he simply needed to be more diplomatic when it came to his assessments in future, pointing to a touch of inexperience when it came to addressing the media whilst tensions and frustrations are still high immediately post game.
Clement is not wrong there, but it also serves as a great example of man management and Sterling will take it on board, and undoubtedly there will have been words behind closed doors, but the gaffer was obviously pleased with what he heard from the player as he was back in the starting line up at Hampden, and he should have got himself on the scoresheet really as we put ourselves through to the final with a Cyriel Dessers inspired 2-0 victory.
In Clement we continue to trust.
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