Rangers will sack Philippe Clement – ‘it is done’
Philippe Clement is under immense pressure at Rangers following a shock Scottish Cup exit and a disappointing league campaign, where they sit 13 points behind rivals Celtic.
Football Insider revealed that Clement’s job is on the line after the early cup exit to Queen’s Park, further fuelling speculation about his future.
Rangers supporters believe Clement is simply waiting to be sacked rather than resigning, as doing so would secure a pay-off from the club hierarchy.
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes “the bond is broken” between the fans and Clement and insists the league “is done” with Celtic firmly in control.
Clement has been under pressure earlier in the season but the early Scottish Cup loss to Scottish Championship side Queen’s Park is the last straw for many Rangers supporters.
Speaking on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Robinson questioned whether the club “can afford to sack him”, which may explain why a decision has yet to be made.
Philippe Clement has lost the faith of Rangers fans
He told Football Insider: “I’m not so sure they can afford to sack him. We talk about this all the time, don’t we? We talk about Rangers’ financial situation and where the club’s at.
“You look at the transfer market in January, and it tells you a lot about the club. Patrick Stewart’s been brought in, but he didn’t really give the manager a glowing endorsement of his future. I’m not so sure if Philippe Clement goes, where do you go from there? Is he the man to take Rangers forward?
“I don’t think he is. I really don’t think he is. I think they need somebody who relates to the fans. The bond between the fans and the club is broken. Between the club ownership, the hierarchy, the team, and the manager, I think that’s been broken for a long time now. And I think there’s such a big segment of Rangers supporters that are anti-Philippe Clement at the moment.
“I don’t think they lose anything by getting rid of the manager. The league is done. They’re not going to catch Celtic. The Europa League is a huge target. And I think in the same way as Tottenham, the Europa League is one thing that’s kept Philippe Clement in his job. I saw them at Manchester United, and I thought they were absolutely outstanding.”
“Clement’s not going to the manager of Rangers between the next six to twelve months at some point he will go. Right now there is nothing else to play for apart from the Europa League. Bring in somebody that brings the supporters back to Ibrox, that understands the club, that brings back a feel good and gives the club an opportunity to progress in Europe“.
Rangers board face a major decision on Philippe Clement
Football Insider has revealed that former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper is in contention for the Rangers job.
Cooper, along with Derek McInnes, Russell Martin, and Kevin Muscat, is on the shortlist should the Gers decide to part ways with Clement.
However, Clement’s contract extension last summer complicates matters, as sacking him would come at a significant financial cost.
Rangers currently sit 13 points behind bitter rivals Celtic in the league, with Brendan Rodgers’ side on course to claim yet another title.