Rangers manager Philippe Clement has left BBC Sport pundit Michael Stewart “astonished” over claims about the Ibrox side’s victory over Hearts.
The Rangers manager was speaking after his team overcame Hearts 2-1 at Ibrox thanks to a late James Tavernier penalty and eventual winner from Brazilian striker Danilo.
According to Philippe Clement, Rangers were worthy winners against Hearts despite the groans of the watching fans and the Ibrox manager claims it’s a sign of a winning “mentality” returning to the team.
“Yeah but the most important is that it is a deserved win,” Philippe Clement told BBC Sportsound (29/10). “If you see the game, if you see the statistics in every sense, we had around 70% ball possession, shots, missing a penalty.
“The goal against came from the only chance for the opponent so for me this is a reference mentality, not giving up.
“I am still in an observation period, looking at the players, how they react as an individual, how they react as a team.
“I told them I expect them in every circumstance never to give up and always to fight.
“To keep on doing our movements, keep our ball tempo, keep on defending together, and that’s what they did today and then at the end you break the wall.
“The circumstances were against us but because of the mentality of the players, we changed the situaiton.”
The comments did not take well to Michael Stewart, who claimed he was “astonished” by Philippe Clement’s post Hearts positivity after a lacklustre Rangers display.
Philippe Clement refuses to talk title challenge after Hearts win
The Gers scored two late goals to overturn Lawrence Shankland’s early first half opener, with James Tavernier playing a key role in both efforts.
Firstly the Rangers captain netted an equalising spot-kick after Peter Haring gifted Rangers a 90th minute penalty by tugging Connor Goldson’s shirt.
This was after the Ibrox skipper had missed the opportunity to equalise from the spot at the end of the first half.
The Rangers captain would then turn provider to set up Danilo moments after equalising, with the result cutting Celtic’s lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table to five points.
However, Philippe Clement refused to get drawn into any title talk come full time and claimed his full focus is on the next game after defeating Hearts.
“I’m not busy with that (talk of a title challenge),” said Clement. “I’m busy game after game, going full for three points and then at the end of the season we will see what the situation is.
“We are focused on ourselves, making our story better for every player, individual, for the collective, for all the club, we’re busy with that.”
Rangers remain unbeaten after three games under Philippe Clement, with victory over Hearts coming after the defeat of Hibs and the Europa League draw away to Sparta Prague.
