If there is one thing Philippe Clement has been consistent on during the last few months, it’s the need for Rangers to rotate and add extra depth to their playing staff.
And while an injury crisis in defence has afforded some the opportunity to step up – Clinton Nsiala impressed on his Rangers debut against Dundee while Clement has been delighted with Ridvan Yilmaz’s performances at right-back – that 1-1 draw at Dens Park felt like a step too far for some after an exhausting festive schedule.
Yilmaz produced his worst display in a while in the continued absence of James Tavernier.
Jefte also appears to be feeling the pinch after starting 15 games in all competitions since the beginning of November. And while Vaclav Cerny rescued a point for Rangers as he finished off a thrilling counter attack, the Czech Republic international appeared a little jaded himself as Clement’s team fell 15 points behind Celtic at the top of the table.
Jefte and Ridvan Yilmaz pay the price as Rangers’ injury issues force Philippe Clement’s hand
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Clement felt that it was not an issue of belief as Rangers failed to break down a resilient Dundee, but one of quality and sharpness.
“It is maybe something to do [with the fact that] you need to play a lot of times with the same players,” the Belgian wonders. “I missed freshness with Jefte and Ridvan on the full-backs, to be decisive with the final pass, the decisive pass.
“So I think it’s a lot of things together, but it was not good enough today.
“It’s very, very frustrating. It’s very frustrating because I know what the team is doing. We cannot train much, but it’s game after game that way so we cannot work on a lot of things.
“We had to find a new balance with a lot of defensive players out. Then, we expect more in our offensive third, but I see players who go to the limit. I saw players like Vaclav really going to the limit or over their limit today to get these results.
“The game has gone fast, so we need this quality and depth also in the squad to get fresh players in who make the difference also in that moment.”
Clement understands fan frustration as away woes continue at Dundee
The good news is that, with Ross McCausland back from injury, with Rabbi Matondo and Oscar Cortes also now available again, Clement does have the option of resting Cerny. Then again, it would be a hard ask for any of Rangers’ other wingers to replicate the influence of the Wolfsburg loanee in terms of both his creativity and his end product.
No one has more Premiership goals this season than Cerny’s tally of eight.
Whether Jefte and Yilmaz are given the chance to recharge their batteries – Rangers still have another six games to come before the start of February – largely depends on how quickly the likes of Sterling and Tavernier can put those injury issues behind them.
The versatile Kasanwirjo would have come in particularly handy in recent weeks. But, the Feyenoord loanee out long-term, Clement has had little choice but to push his full-backs to their limits and beyond.
“Of course, [the fans] are unhappy,” Clement adds, the travelling support not shy in showing their disappointment at Dens Park. “We are also unhappy, all of us are unhappy, to lose these three points.
“Supporters are always behind us when we are good, when we play good games. Today, it was not a good game so I understand that they are unhappy about that.”
Rangers have won only three out of 11 Premiership matches away from home this season. At least, with St Johnstone to come this weekend, Clement can return to the comfort of Ibrox.
