Rangers squeezed past Motherwell in a Premier Sports Cup semi-final that really should have been more comfortable but for the quality of finishing and the lack of quality in defending.
Philippe Clement was already a manager under pressure and the half-time boos would have let him know what fans were thinking about him, and his failing squad.
His future at Ibrox remains uncertain, however, there is a speck of light at the end of the longest tunnel after a second half display from Rangers led by substitutes who all made a difference.
- READ MORE: Rangers fans all in agreement about James Tavernier as BBC pundit claims skipper ‘really struggled’
Philippe Clement holds onto Rangers job amid half-time intervention
Clement has been criticised in the past for some of the changes that he makes, on this occasion, he got them all right.
Tom Lawrence was injury enforced, but the joint departures of James Tavernier and Cyriel Dessers saw a near immediate improvement in tempo and performance.
Speaking on BBC Sportsound’s coverage, Pat Nevin jumped to the defence of the under fire gaffer:
“Let’s give Philippe Clement a little bit of credit,” said Nevin after Rangers second half display.
“It wasn’t going well in the first half. The manager must have said something, because they looked more considered after the break.
“Once they got the goal, I think most people thought it would go Rangers’ way.
“Aston Oxborough pulled off some brilliant saves for Motherwell.”
It’s not quite a stay of execution because, without a CEO and/or sporting director, Rangers don’t really have someone to swing the axe.
What the turnaround did prove, is that Clement’s efforts are being hamstrung by players who don’t have the ability either mentally or physically to execute his desired game plan.
Clement must break Rangers habit and loyalty to flops
The question is – why continue to back the players who can’t?
The team that finished the game against Motherwell looked sharper, more incisive and more athletic – it should also start against Olympiakos.
Nedim Bajrami’s match winning goal being the perfect proof as Mohamed Diomande’s switch of play to Vaclav Cerny, followed by his drilled pass to Bajrami gave Motherwell no chance of intercepting or breaking up the attack.
Compare and contrast with Dessers’ botched attempt to play Bajrami through in the first half and you get the idea.
When players were injured, Clement had an excuse, he doesn’t anymore.
