Philippe Clement is amongst the first to praise the emerging talent in his young Rangers squad.
But the Ibrox manager has also set about ensuring that none of his young charges let the intensity of Scotland’s media coverage go to their heads.
Clinton Nsiala is the latest young name to start making waves at Rangers, following the emergence of Jefte and Hamza Igamane this season.
But whilst the press and the Rangers support might be getting excited about several of the club’s young stars, Philippe Clement is focused on keeping their feet firmly on the ground.
Clinton Nsiala praise ‘dangerous’ insists Philippe Clement
Clinton Nsiala certainly turned heads with his performance in the 3-0 win over Aberdeen – and not just amongst Rangers fans.
The French defender put in a composed defensive display against the Dons and was spraying around passes like Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
At least that’s according to Ibrox teammate Ross McCausland, who branded the ‘amazing’ Nsiala ‘a left-footed Van Dijk’ after the game.
Whilst we’re sure the young Ulsterman would’ve got a clip around the ear for feeding journalists such extravagant headlines, Clement sent a message to his young team ahead of the clash with Fraserburgh.
Yes, it’s nice to get recognition for your progress, but don’t get too big for your boots just yet.
“I don’t like to point out players too much,” said Clement.
”I said it also in my press conference, I am very happy with what (Nsiala) did in these three games.
”How he worked, how he is hungry, from the day he stepped into the building.
”It’s now also confirming this and to stay with two feet on the ground.
”I have a feeling he does but I’m going to keep a big eye on that.
”One thing that’s always really dangerous is that when they come with a lot of articles in the newspaper and they think they’re better than they are for the moment.”
Rangers ‘developing success’ after years of poor recruitment
Rangers have had shop clever in order to restructure an ageing and expensive squad which had not delivered the success expected at Ibrox.
The club had several high-earning players who hadn’t cut the mustard and set about reducing the wage bill by £6m across the summer months.
As part of that, Rangers went shopping in emerging markets for young players on budget deals who could impress at Ibrox and bank the Gers a player trading fortune.
Clinton Nsiala is the latest name to be in that discussion after moving to Rangers from the AC Milan academy in the summer.
But Philippe Clement insists that ‘developing success’ will be the mantra of Rangers in the seasons ahead as the club looks to install a long-term vision for the future.
”I’m happy that people start to see the fruits that have been planted in the summer,” said Clement.
”And there was a lot of criticism about that.
”Why Igamane from Morocco? Why Clinton Nsiala who played youth teams? Why Jefte who doesn’t have the experience at this level?
”They are that young, why to do that?
“People start to see the first part of them growing up and they have the potential to still grow a lot and they have to also.
”So that’s the positive thing and that’s also the positive thing about the plan we all had together to get this club to the level this club wants to be.
”Without spending a lot of money, and not buying the success, but developing success.
”So it’s a very positive thing that the guys are making good steps.”
