Rangers boss Philippe Clement is “happy” that Europa League rival Brian Priske has opted against dishing the dirt on their long-standing friendship.
The Belgian manager was once again speaking about his relationship with Sparta Prague counterpart Priske, the two having played together with Club Brugge.
Claiming that their relationship goes way beyond their playing days together, Philippe Clement spoke glowingly about “nice person” Brian Priske.
But after one reporter claimed Priske was very complimentary of him before the match, Clement admitted he’s happy that the Danish manager hasn’t ditched the dirt on the “bad things”.
“We know each other already a long time,” said Philippe Clement. “Brian (Priske) was before playing in Genk, my old club.
“After he came to Brugge we played together. We kept in touch the years after because we had a good relationship in the club.
“Later on he became also a coach in Belgium in Antwerp so I know already a long time.
“He’s a really, really nice person. He’s also a football addict so that’s a good way to spend good evenings together, that we can talk about football.
“I’m happy he said good things about me, he knows bad things about me also!
“It’s going to be great to see each other again because it’s been a while now but we’re both also people that love each other before and after the game, during the game it will be a little bit less.”
Philippe Clement & Brian Priske: from friends to rivals
There will be no love lost when Rangers come up against Sparta Prague in the Europa League with Philippe Clement and Brian Priske’s friendship is to be put to one side.
Ibrox manager Philippe Clement is looking to get Rangers back to winning ways in the competition after a surprise 2-1 defeat away to Aris Limassol on matchday two.
Similarly, Sparta Prague will be looking to get more points on the board after losing by the same score line to Real Betis in Spain.
That round of results means that everyone in Europa League Group C is tied on three points heading into a pivotal matchday three in the competition.
Rangers know that a positive result in Prague could be a difference-maker in their ambitions to get out of the group and Philippe Clement has told his team they will need to up their game from the weekend’s 4-0 win over Hibs to get it.
Here’s how we’re backing Rangers to line up against Sparta Prague as the club look to take a big step towards qualification from their Europa League group.
The Rangers manager also refused to take the bait when met with a Michael Beale poser.
