Graeme Souness claims he tipped Frank Lampard for the Rangers manager’s job over Philippe Clement because his wife is from Northern Ireland.
The Rangers legend was speaking to talkSPORT about his role in the appointment of the Belgian manager at Ibrox.
Previously, there have been suggestions that Rangers legend Graeme Souness had tipped Frank Lampard for the role over Philippe Clement.
Since the appointment of the ex-Club Brugge and AS Monaco boss, Rangers are right back in the title hunt and Souness has been expanding on his recommendation this week.
Graeme Souness on Philippe Clement & Frank Lampard
Speaking to Jim White and Alan Pardew about the form of the Rangers manager – who has won 22 games out of 26 – Graeme Souness has revealed the key difference he felt between Philippe Clement and Frank Lampard.
The Rangers legend was an advisor to the process of appointing a new manager and was involved in interviewing potential candidates.
Claiming that both Philippe Clement and Frank Lampard were the stand-out candidates, the former Rangers star claims that Lampard’s proximity to the nuances of West of Scotland life made the England legend his preferred candidate.
Not only that, but the fact Frank Lampard’s wife is from Northern Ireland was also cited as an important detail.
Lampard, 45, is married to Northern Irish TV presenter Christine Bleakley, 45, who is from Newry.
“We interviewed about five or six of them,” said Souness. “I said, ‘it’s between those two (Lampard & Clement)’.
“The only advantage for me Frank has over Philippe is that he has some experience of the West of Scotland.
“His wife is from Northern Ireland so she will certainly know what it’s like.
“In terms of his CV, he has a very impressive CV as well Philippe. He’s done well in Belgium and then he went off to the south of France with Monaco.
“He had a little bit of a playing career at Coventry but nothing, no job in football management, prepares you for the West of Scotland. It’s another type of challenge.”
Rangers manager has shaken up Scottish football
Whilst Graeme Souness’s point about the nuances of the Rangers v Celtic rivalry stands, sometimes it’s best to take a fresh approach.
An outsider can come in and doesn’t have to be confined by the perceived rules of the Scottish game or of the Glasgow goldfish bowl.
And that’s exactly what’s happened as Philippe Clement helps guide Rangers to the top of the Scottish Premiership and the League Cup trophy.
Rangers feel like another beast under the Belgian and fans are certainly satisfied with the job the manager is doing.
Frank Lampard meanwhile continues to be out of work after leaving Chelsea following a stint as caretaker in 2023.
