Rewind a few months and the thought of Philippe Clement dragging Rangers into a title race seemed laughable.
Cyriel Dessers was our only striker and we were playing Ross McCausland and Scott Wright on the wings, hardly the most prolific players in our squad.
The turnaround at Ibrox has been nothing short of miraculous but Philippe Clement has been quick to respond to talks about Rangers being at a disadvantage with Celtic in pole position to open up a gap at the top.
Philippe Clement has narrow minded Rangers title vision
What has been strange recently is Brendan Rodgers trying to paint his side as some sort of underdog in the fight for the Scottish Premiership title.
Let’s not forget, before the winter break, they were sitting with an 11 point lead at one point.
Even after the Old Firm, despite blowing a 2-0 lead, he was at it again:
“For a team that has been written off and told they are going through the motions all year, I think we definitely turned up.
“This is the business end of the season and we are ready to turn up.
“I have nothing but positivity in how mentally they were in the game. It will be immense and be huge for us.”
Compare and contrast with what Philippe Clement has said when asked if the second postponement of our trip to Dundee gives Celtic the edge:
“I’m not thinking about that. I’m only thinking about one thing and that’s my team and winning the next game.
“I’m only busy with Ross County, that’s why I told you guys I want to talk a little bit about football but I know I need to respond to all the other things and I need to be busy with the other things also myself, but not my team, they need to focus on Ross County.”
Clement keeps it simple for Rangers
The Gers boss has simplified things for the players.
Focus on the next game, the intensity, work rate and game plan, nothing else matters.
Clement was right after the derby, when he took over, there was no way this squad was capable of overturning a two-goal deficit against Celtic or coming back in injury time.
It’s that sporting cliche of looking after the inches and the feet and yards will look after themselves.
Under Michael Beale, we almost feared the next match and what we were going to have to endure.
With Philippe Clement, there is a buzz about Auchenhowie and that Rangers are on the cusp of something special.
