Rangers boss Philippe Clement has heaped the praise on Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes following the Scottish Premiership victory at Rugby Park.
The Gers ran out 2-1 victors in Kilmarnock in what could prove a potentially crucial victory in the Scottish Premiership title race.
But after the game Philippe Clement was quick to commend Kilmarnock counterpart Derek McInnes for his side’s contribution to the match.
Kilmarnock have lost only twice in their last 15 games – both times to Rangers – and Belgian coach Clement is clear that McInnes deserves plenty of credit.
Philippe Clement hails Derek McInnes
Speaking to a post-match press conference, Philippe Clement was initially asked about the contribution of Jack Butland to the Rangers victory.
In his usual style, Clement was quick to emphasis the importance of the collective before quickly segueing into soundbites around McInnes.
“Yeah but you can speak about 11 players or 15 or 16 players who did major things to get the result,” said Clement. “That’s also all credit to Derek and his team who made it a really big fight, and also what they’ve been doing all these months.
“It’s now in 15 games that Kilmarnock only lost twice, two times against us, and the rest they didn’t lose one of the games. So huge credit also to Kilmarnock that they make it a really big fight.
“Of course they are more used to these circumstances and apparently we needed some time to adapt to the circumstances because I saw a big difference in the second half.”
These weren’t the only comments from Philippe Clement aimed at Derek McInnes either, with the Rangers manager also hailing his opposite number in an interview with BBC Sport.
Describing Rugby Park as a “really hard place to come”, Clement gave “all credit” to Derek McInnes and his Kilmarnock team.
Kilmarnock manager tipped for Rangers job
Rangers fans are obviously very familiar with Derek McInnes given the former midfielder was a player at the club for five seasons between 1995 and 2000.
But in recent times McInnes the manager has been a thorn in Rangers’ side, particularly with his Aberdeen side of the mid-2010s. You’ve seen which way they’ve gone since sacking him.
Now at Kilmarnock, Derek McInnes has guided the club to 4th in the Scottish Premiership from the bowels of the Scottish Championship and it’s to his immense credit.
Rangers fans too might remember the manager turning down the opportunity to take over the club at the end of 2017 after the Gers approached Aberdeen.
Since then, there have been claims that the late, great Walter Smith urged Derek to turn the role down whilst McInnes’ name was mentioned as a potential Michael Beale replacement.
Only 52-years-old, there still plenty of time for him to land the Rangers gig in his career, with Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tipping Derek for the job earlier in the season.
