Philippe Clement’s start to life at Rangers couldn’t have gone much better, it had been hoped that an improvement in performances would be made but we have seen so much more than that.
Last minute wins and points saved, a first win against Spanish opposition away from Ibrox to top the Europa League, a first trophy won and the chance to finish 2023 top of the Scottish Premiership.
When Philippe Clement arrived at Ibrox qualifying for European football after the winter break and winning the league cup would have been key objectives, he’s met those, now he has to meet the third.
Philippe Clement has Rangers target for winter break
Momentum is with Rangers.
Celtic have lost their last two league games and were knocked out of Europe with Brendan Rodgers demanding that he gets more money to spend on the biggest squad in the country.
He doesn’t need more players, he has injuries.
So have Rangers.
The difference is, Philippe Clement hasn’t moaned about his at Rangers, he has said it’s his job to prepare those that are available in the squad to the best of his ability and to improve them.
The next three games are huge, as they have all been since the big Belgian arrived, win them and Rangers could be top of the Scottish Premiership for the first time since Giovanni van Bronckhorst was in charge nearly two years ago.
It’s not just the physical importance of this that could be significant, the psychological importance could be massive too.
Rodgers’ return to Celtic was a controversial one, given the manner of his departure, and there is already pressure building on him – despite currently sitting top of the league – because of their recent results and our own form.
Initially, closing the gap was even a big ask for Philippe Clement given the players who have been out injured and who remain injured.
But the Gers boss is just getting on with the job, with players like Dujon Sterling, who has hardly kicked a ball all season, becoming a big player in two key fixtures.
Three games, one objective, keep the pressure on – starting with three points against St Johnstone.
