How Rangers are in the position that they find themselves in now is due largely to Philippe Clement and how he has managed to galvanise a team that was drifting and miles away from looking like it could win silverware.
The Gers boss has secured the first trophy of the season and is in a good position to win the other two, he will also be buoyed by the injury news that sees his squad looking a lot healthier.
In 2011, Rangers were in a good place on the pitch and Philippe Clement can look to Walter Smith’s side for inspiration with one particular trait in common.
Rangers have shades of Walter Smith class under Philippe Clement
All season, it has seemed like a battle to score goals.
Players like Rabbi Matondo, Scott Wright and Ross McCausland have been used in attacking positions and they haven’t made double figures, combined.
Hardly title winning form.
Speaking as part of the pre-match press conference ahead of the visit to Ibrox of Hibs, the gaffer’s update gave a lot to be encouraged about:
“I will say the players who are back in training. Dujon (Sterling) is back in training, Kieran Dowell is back in training, Abdallah Sima is back in training and Ross McCausland is back in training. So the guys who are out is Ridvan (Yilmaz), Ryan Jack, Oscar Cortes and Danilo.”
The squad against Hibs will look considerably stronger than it has for some time with the forward line in particular beginning to have a more clinical appearance.
Fabio Silva and Cyriel Dessers have been rotating through the middle until the former had to move out to the wing through necessity with Kemar Roofe now fit enough to provide a back-up option from the bench.
Rangers can now also add Todd Cantwell, who will be closer to full fitness, and Abdallah Sima, who hasn’t been seen since January 2nd with Tom Lawrence able to cover a variety of roles.
Five players all capable of scoring and creating goals.
Why is the current Rangers squad like Walter’s title winners?
Back to 2011 and Smith had Kenny Miller, Nikica Jelavic, Steven Naismith, Kyle Lafferty, Vladimir Weiss and El Hadj Diouff at his disposal.
Each player had their own skillset but were all capable of causing opposition team problems.
In that season, Rangers won the league, the league cup and reached the last 16 of the Europa League having started in the Champions League – sound familiar?
Long term success is always built on a good defence, which that side also had, but you need to have a selection of match winners too.
Not just to cover injuries but to keep them on their toes and to keep them fresh.
Philippe Clement, for the first time since taking over as Rangers manager, has depth in his attack.
It’s just a shame that Danilo and Oscar Cortes aren’t available too.
Every game from now until the end of the season is going to be a cup final, and cup finals need heroes.
Clement will need his class of ‘24 to match the feats of those that Walter Smith had in ‘11 if one of the most unlikely title wins is to become a reality.
