Philippe Clement reckons both Tottenham Hotspur and Old Firm rivals Celtic are financially ‘out of his Rangers team’s league’.
But that’s not going to stop the Belgian manager from bringing the Ibrox club’s A-game ahead of a massive week in Glasgow.
Rangers are preparing to host Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League on Thursday evening at Ibrox.
It’s a tie given an extra dynamic by the fact it will be under pressure ex-Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou’s first game back in Scotland.
Rangers will then face Celtic at Hampden a matter of days later in the Final of the Premier Sports Cup.
Speaking about the immense Rangers double-header, Philippe Clement has courted controversy and tempered expectations by referencing finances.
Philippe Clement on Spurs & Celtic
”Of course it’s totally different kind of games (than the win over Ross County),” Clement told Sky Sports.
”Maybe we need to say financially out of our league the two games but we’re going to compete in that way.
”It’s a really nice challenge for our squad to show themselves in these games and what we can do against those teams.”
Reflecting on the 3-0 win over Ross County, Clement said: “It’s a really important victory this one.
”Not only for the three points but also for the way. To score the goals and not to concede and to have the domination all the game, like I want to see.
”But it takes time to have this connection between players and you see now that they start to understand their role much better, whoever is playing, whoever is coming in.
”Things are starting to gel together really well so I think this is the football our fans want to see, and how they want to see away games.”
Rangers manager ‘making excuses’
The comments surrounding Rangers’ upcoming clashes with Tottenham and Celtic have courted some controversy in the Sky Sports studio.
Philippe Clement didn’t impress too many Rangers fans when he cited Celtic twice in the press conference heading into the match with Ross County.
The Belgian manager is accused of being overly respectful to Celtic, with Clement yet to beat the Parkhead side as Rangers boss.
In contrast, Steven Gerrard took a no-fear approach to Celtic in the press and in the Old Firm games and had a remarkable win record over our rivals.
Speaking after the comments, James McFadden bit back against the Rangers boss.
The former Scotland international accused Clement of ‘making excuses’ before the games have been played, comparing Rangers to Ross County.
”You’re giving them a chance of winning the Cup (v Celtic),” McFadden told Sky Sports.
”Because they’ve turned their form around and they’re finding a level of consistency.
”Obviously you want to do well in every game you play but they would give up losing on Thursday (v Spurs) to win the Cup, absolutely no doubt.
”I think it’s going to be an interesting one because you play Spurs and you can say they’re out of your league financially.
”Well, that’s the case with Ross County today, you get on with it. You just play the game. Don’t make excuses before you’ve started.”
