Philippe Clement has made an impressive start to life as Rangers manager and has provided the sort of unity that has been missing since Steven Gerrard left for the Premier League.
The Gers boss has kept his message simple and wants nothing but his squad to be more robust and more aggressive as he looks to restore the club back to the top of Scottish football.
One fan of Philippe Clement is Barry Ferguson, but the former Rangers skipper reckons that the biggest tests are still to come, as told on the Go Radio Football Show.
Philippe Clement given Rangers seal of approval
The next block of fixtures sees 12 games before the winter break.
Key games in the Europa League, Scottish Premiership and the chance to win the Viaplay Cup make it a massive month for the new manager.
Ferguson has been impressed with what he has seen so far, however, Philippe Clement has bigger obstacles to overcome over the next six weeks:
“December is a massive, massive month for Rangers. Although they’ve still got two big games in November; Aberdeen and Aris Limassol, with Fir Park as well so there’s a few tough ones.
“But when I’m looking at this Rangers team, they’re in a different place. They’re in a good place at this moment in time. So, he knows, the second month needs to be even better than the first month. But I’ve got every confidence in him.
“I like the way he comes across. He doesn’t give much away, is straight talking and knows what he wants. I don’t think players will get away with much. But they’ve got a big month coming up.”
New boss now has to kick on with Rangers
Ferguson is right, away trips to Pittodrie and Tynecastle are always tricky affairs and cup finals can hinge on luck or the officials, European football also doesn’t have any easy games any more either.
Michael Beale didn’t leave Philippe Clement with much room for leeway but winning every game will still be the Rangers manager’s target.
He will need every player in his squad to be fit, mistakes at the back to be cut out and his forward line to be more clinical than it has been all season.
As Ferguson says, the early signs are positive, and we are heading in the right direction.
At full time on January the 2nd against Kilmarnock, we will have an even better idea of what that direction is.
