It’s not that Rangers failed to lay a glove on Celtic again that annoyed fans the most, it’s that the same self-inflicted goals were conceded.
Philippe Clement saw his side create enough good chances to win the game, however, at the other end, a lack of concentration and professionalism saw three points go to the home side.
Having defenders who are good on the ball is one thing, but the manager now needs to look at his squad and decide if they are good enough at the basics of defending with one previously linked free agent capable of making a difference.
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Rangers move for Brandon Williams could help Old Firm blunders
Rangers already have three left-backs in Ridvan Yilmaz, Robbie Fraser and Jefte, with the latter showing that he is just as effective higher up the park.
All of them are attack-minded though.
In Brandon Williams, a player who has been mentioned as a possible Rangers target, Clement could land an individual steeped in the demands of a club to win every game and every battle.
Described as a ‘top player’ by former Man Utd manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Williams has a no-nonsense approach to defending.
On his release from his boyhood club, Man Utd included quotes from Williams during his time at Old Trafford including one that saw the full back reflect on the importance of bringing through academy players:
“I think, growing up around here and in the Academy, you learn the DNA of Manchester United and learn the way some of the great players have played,” he said.
“It gets passed down from generation to generation. We can feed that back to the players who do come in and they learn it quickly, to be honest.
“Like I have said, though, to have other people from Manchester, playing for Manchester United, is really good for me and the whole community.”
Clement should entertain free agent market for more than one role
Philippe Clement has already approached the subject of going into the free agency market, more specifically, to address the number six issue that rose its ugly head against Celtic once again:
“That’s still a possibility, yes,” Clement said when asked if Rangers would look to the free agents market.
“We talked about that in the club and that was the initial plan [to bring in a No.6 to replace John Lundstram]. So we need to now find solutions within the squad to do that, in a different way to before.
“Connor Barron is filling that role. Dujon Sterling can fill that role. Nico Raskin can fill that role. But it’s in a different way to Lunny. We don’t need to play in the same way we did last season. It’s about what suits the qualities of the squad best. And we’re going to find solutions for that.”
Clement has a lot of solutions to find.
What is abundantly clear though, is that Rangers can’t lurch from one Old Firm derby to the next and expect a different result with the same players in possession of starting jerseys.
The Belgian has made tough decisions in the past and he has to make them again.
