Former Rangers winger Neil McCann knows what it takes to play and win at Ibrox.
The ex-Gers star was part of a famous Ibrox team that lifted nine trophies during his time at the club.
Rangers manager Philippe Clement has one under his belt with the League Cup triumph last season and the Belgian faces a tall order to add to that number his campaign.
The Gers look a team in real transition and it remains unclear just which personnel will still be in place come the end of August.
But in the meantime Rangers have thrown their support behind Philippe Clement with the days of chopping and changing manager consigned to the past.
Neil McCann has been speaking about the appointment and says he’s surprised that Rangers made the announcement on the eve of the Premiership season’s big kick-off.
McCann on Clement contract
Rangers announced that Philippe Clement was to be handed a new contract ahead of the 0-0 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle.
The Belgian manager took over last October and has signed on until 2028 following a public show of support from chairman John Bennett.
Rangers fans are wary of a squad in transition and so that came to pass as the Gers played out a nervy stalemate at Tynecastle.
Speaking ahead of the game, Neil McCann raised eyebrows about the Philippe Clement contract and suggested the Belgian might not get the time he needs in Glasgow.
“(The new contract) shows (Clement’s) commitment,” McCann told Sky Sports. “I was very surprised when I saw the news of Philippe signing a new deal.
“Considering he’s not even seen out his first year here. Wins the League Cup last year.
“For a large part of his tenure he really did do a fantastic job but they did drift away towards the business end of the season. The most important end of the season I have to say.
“He has spoken about a rebuild but that will take time, but do you get time in Glasgow?
“Steven Gerrard did, I have to say, so maybe that’s the sort of business model they’re looking at here.
“They’re taking about a player trading model and stuff like that but it’s not easy in Rangers because you need instant success.”
Rangers manager needs wins
Time will tell if Neil McCann’s fears over Philippe Clement come to fruition this season.
Rangers chairman John Bennett is clear that the days of hiring and firing managers is over at Ibrox with Clement the club’s third permanent boss since Steven Gerrard left for Aston Villa.
It means the Rangers manager will get time but already there is a frustration growing amongst supporters.
Fans are increasingly despondent with the state of the club’s squad, the wage bill bloated by several overpaid players who have struggled to make an impact on Scottish soil.
There are also a number of names in the background who’re hanging around Ibrox like a bad smell.
With a Champions League qualifier against Dynamo Kiev to come next week, there will be no rest for the wicked as Clement tries to rebuild the Rangers team.
But if Rangers are humbled in Ukraine then we suspect any lingering goodwill slowly begin to dissipate further.
Whilst we’re not saying it disappear completely, Clement needs to win football matches and Rangers fans need to see improvement otherwise this story ends one way.
