Philippe Clement cuts an imposing figure, the shaved head and 6ft 3inch tall frame is one sees him carry himself with the stature of a proper Rangers manager.
The Gers boss is impressive in interviews and press conferences, answering questions but never giving too much away, never singling out individuals for praise and choosing instead to focus on the efforts of the squad as a collective – everyone plays their part.
There is an element of Walter Smith to Philippe Clement in how he goes about his business and he isn’t a bad example to follow if you want to be a succesful Rangers manager.
Philippe Clement given Rangers stature compliment
What the great Smith had was presence.
He was universally respected, even by those across the city, well, some of them at least.
What he also had was a warmth.
A warmth and compassion that endeared him to the players.
It saw lost souls like Paul Gascoigne and Brian Laudrup play their best football and rediscover the player that everyone knew they could be.
Philippe Clement has similar traits, and we have seen them already in his short stint as Rangers manager.
The Belgian is seen constantly berating his players, or the fourth official, from the touchline.
At 3-1 up against Ross County, he sensed that their were more goals available and was demanding them.
There is also his handling of Todd Cantwell’s early substitution against Aris Limassol at Ibrox.
That could have gone one of two ways but Clement clearly knows how to communicate with his players.
The press tried to make a big deal of it, Clement, instead, praised Cantwell for playing out of position and his willingness to sacrifice himself for the team.
And how Cantwell has repaid him for the show of faith.
Responding to a Rangers fan on Clyde Superscoreboard who compared Philippe Clement to Smith and Graeme Souness, former SPFL manager Jim Duffy highlighted another important quality:
“You would imagine, if he walks into a dressing room, straight away.
“He’s got that positive impact on players, a respect, and there is that kind of mini fear factor.
“It’s not the way it was years ago with a Sir Alex Ferguson or a Walter Smith but, I think there has to be that.
“And I think Rangers were maybe missing that.”
Duffy is right, he almost perfectly describes Clement and Smith.
A Rangers manager has to have a stature and presence about them.
They have to command respect too.
The players have bought into what Philippe Clement is wanting to bring to Rangers, that he has made such a big difference with a team that was previously underperforming only amplifies his own qualities.
