On a day marred by Rangers fan frustrations, Philippe Clement could scarcely afford to drop any more points in the clash with St Johnstone.
The Belgian manager, and the Ibrox club at large, were subjected to fierce protests from the Union Bears which culminated in the group walking out of the famous stadium.
Billy Dodds has explained that this was to a ‘mixed reaction’ and Philippe Clement has admitted he ‘understands’ fan frustrations amid a woeful run of away form.
But the Gers manager insists it’s not all doom and gloom and took time to single out one young Rangers star who has stepped up amid an excruciating injury crisis.
Clinton Nsiala steps up amid Rangers injury crisis
The Ibrox defence has had to hobble on through amid an injury crisis which has Rangers reportedly targeting a new centre-back.
Losing John Souttar, Neraysho Kasanwirjo, Leon Balogun and Dujon Sterling is bad enough but Rangers are also feeling the impact of James Tavernier and Jack Butland being sidelined.
Normally, you want your leaders on the pitch when you bleed young players but Rangers have been forced to play Clinton Nsiala a little earlier than first planned.
The 21-year-old Frenchman joined the Gers in the summer from the AC Milan Academy and up until the devastating draw with Dundee, had exclusively played youth football.
Once again starting and impressing in the 3-1 win over St Johnstone, Philippe Clement singled Clinton Nsiala out after the match and admits the kid has ‘made really good steps forward’ at Ibrox.
“So I see also in that way a very positive two games in a row with Clinton Nsiala, coming out of nothing, out of youth football, doing these things,” Clement told Sky Sports after the game.
”If I see where he was four months ago and where he is now he made really good steps forward and that’s what we need to do.“
Rangers defender delighted to play first game at Ibrox
Clinton Nsiala also spoke to Rangers after the game and expressed his delight at starting, and winning, his first ever game at Ibrox.
“It was a great feeling to play at Ibrox and start to the game,” said Nsiala.
“We won well and that is always an amazing feeling, especially when you win.
“I think we put in a good performance, we scored early in the game and that helped us to have more confidence and then to create more chances.
“Then we got the second and then the third goal which was good. We built on it and it is always good to score first – it makes you more free to play your own game.
All of the boys and the coaching staff have been really great and they have helped me settle in.
“They have told me to keep it simple and do what I have been doing in training. That is why I am here.
“Playing in the B team helped me. It is always good to keep your tempo high.
“I played with the B team and I was training with the first-team as well, which was good as it kept me in contact with the group.
”We want to keep up the momentum now against Aberdeen on Wednesday night.
“The confidence will be in the dressing room after winning this game. It is important now for us to keep winning games.
“We have that desire to do the best we can in every game we play.”
