Philippe Clement won’t have experienced pressure like he currently is in the Rangers hotseat to the extent that a win in France this week will do little to alleviate it.
If anything, a win would only enrage fans of the Ibrox outfit further given how poor the domestic form has been since matchday one under a manager who promised much but is failing to live up to expectations.
What won’t help his cause this week, is that an hour before kick-off, Rangers fans fury will inevitably return to what has become something of a twice-weekly event when the team news is announced.
Philippe Clement might have to pick Rangers duo he hammered
One of the biggest complaints about Clement has been how stubborn he is to change shape or system with players who have consistently let him down still getting to keep their place in the team, and it could be the same story against Nice.
Speaking after the dismal 1-1 draw with Dundee United, the Gers boss wasn’t shy in taking aim at Cyriel Dessers and Mohamed Diomande:
”We had some players who performed normal,” Clement told Sky Sports post-match. “But we had some players who were not good enough today.
”Who were not available enough today, who were not brave enough today.
”That’s why I made also some changes in half-time with players who had a good impact.
”We need to show much more like what we showed in the second so I’m going to be harsh on that.”
What other choices could Clement make?
The problem, as it has been for much of the season, is that Clement is woefully short of options.
This time, some of it is self-inflicted though, a shortage of homegrown players signed in the summer saw a Europa League squad limit of just 21 which meant there was no place for Ianis Hagi or the long-term injury returnee Danilo.
The two players who gave Rangers a bit of hope at the weekend alongside Vaclav Cerny.
Unless Clement does something more radical like play Hamza Igamane at striker and Ross McCausland or Jefte on the left wing, it will be status quo.
At some point, something has got to give, and it won’t be the failing players who get their marching orders.
