Philippe Clement has refused to be drawn on the proposed San Francisco 49ers group takeover of Rangers.
The Ibrox manager has been under intense pressure in the last few weeks after the Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Queen’s Park all but ended the Gers’ domestic season.
With Celtic marching towards a sixth treble in nine years, Rangers’ shortcomings on and off the pitch are under the microscope with Philippe Clement’s reputation amongst fans scarred by performances this season.
Patrick Stewart threw his weight behind Philippe Clement this week with the structural issues at Rangers taking greater priority for the club’s suits.
News of US-backed interest in Rangers from the San Fransisco 49ers group that has invested in Leeds United also helped to relieve the pressure.
But addressing fans ahead of the Scottish Premiership clash with St Mirren, Philippe Clement refused to be drawn on the takeover talk with his focus purely on the football.
Philippe Clement shuts down Rangers takeover questions
”Those are business questions,” explained Clement. “So I think the club addressed things the last couple of days. Patrick did.
”I am here like I said for the sportive side and I will see what every moment in time if things change in the club.
”But I am just purely focused on the team and the performances there.
”I think there’s never a club where the manager is involved in these kind of things.
”If things change and there are different budgets of course you’re involved and it can help you but that’s the only thing. So that’s business.”
Rangers manager not focused on job threat
Philippe Clement was also asked if he feared that Rangers takeover talk might impact on his future as the manager of the club.
The Ibrox gaffer was clear that he is not worried about such trivialities with his full focus on how Rangers are performing at the present moment.
With Fenerbahce on the horizon in the Europa League, Rangers do still have a smidgen of hope this season and Clement is determined to get the most out of his players.
”No I am busy now with the group with the players, the next game, all of that” said Clement.
”Those are things I have in control in a part because you don’t have anything, or everything under control.
”It’s about the job of every day, going full for that and getting the best out of the players that are available at that moment.”
’Nothing to talk about’ until Rangers takeover complete
The press conference was twice interrupted by Rangers head of communications Nick Thomson, who shut down journalists pressing Philippe Clement on the takeover reports.
Rangers issued a 19-word response to journalists with regards the reports and for the time being are keeping quiet when it comes to the negotiations.
Reports have suggested that Dave King is ready to sell his shareholding with 49ers Investments eyeing a 50% share of Rangers Football Club.
But shutting down the questions once and for all, Clement insists that until there is any substantial news on the subject, journalists are wasting their time.
”Those are rumours, there’s nothing for the moment,” said Clement.
”There’s nothing to talk about until something happens.
“It’s the same as with transfers. In the transfer window if there’s nothing concrete to say, so we can go in those things if it ever happens in time.
”Those are the things I am focused on, on the team and not all the rumours and the noise around.
”Because otherwise I forget to do my job and that’s to make these players better, to make this group better, to get better results.
”So all my focus is on those things.”
