Rangers manager Philippe Clement called out as journalist after refusing to take the bait with a loaded question on a potential title challenge with Celtic.
The incoming Ibrox boss was speaking ahead of the Scottish Premiership trip to face Dundee with Rangers closing the gap on Celtic at the top of the table over the weekend.
With the Parkhead side slipping up on the road to Hibs, Rangers produced a late, late show to overcome Hearts at Ibrox to cut the gap to five points.
After that 2-1 victory at Ibrox, Philippe Clement refused to be drawn on talk of a title tilt, and as one journalist tried to slip in a question about a Premiership challenge into the Dundee presser the Belgian didn’t play ball.
Philippe Clement refuses to take journalist’s title bait
Asked if the win over Hearts had given Clement confidence “the league was still there for the taking” the Rangers boss said:
“I never talked about that but it’s a good question to go around to get me to a certain answer, it’s a good try.
“It’s not the first time that happens. We’re focused on ourselves.
“Game by game I don’t want anybody in this building thinking about what can be at the end of the road.
“I want that everybody is focused on the road, to stay on the road, and to make this road stronger and stronger that we can compete in every competition.
“That’s the only focus that this team and this club needs at the moment.”
It’s not the first time Philippe Clement has refused to take a journalist’s bait in Scotland and the Rangers manager is showing himself to be a shrewd operator with the press.
With the Belgian’s full focus on instilling a winning mentality at Rangers it’s clear the coach will not be drawn into silly soundbites about title challenges which can be later used against him.
The full focus is on the next match and Rangers fans are starting to believe the club are finally in safe hands moving forward.
But as Celtic wobble and Rangers build confidence, the club’s players are tasked with finally applying some pressure on the Parkhead side.
