Rangers manager Philippe Clement has taken aim at “wrong rumours” surrounding the Ibrox side’s January transfer business.
The Belgian boss was speaking after the convincing 3-0 victory over Hibs in the Scottish Premiership, where the Gers restarted their title tilt in emphatic fashion.
But given we’re in the January transfer window, journalists couldn’t resist probing Philippe Clement on what’s next for the club as the Gers team continues to develop by the match.
And in the ex-Club Brugge and Monaco manager’s characteristic style he wasn’t giving an inch about any would-be transfers – even if he took aim about some of the rumours swirling.
Philippe Clement: Rangers “need” transfer deals
First asked if the Rangers manager was going to give his squad a “headache” by signing more players this January, Clement claimed any new additions were more of a necessity than for adding unnecessary competition.
It comes with Rangers competing on the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup, and Europa League fronts this season.
“We need in the squad, to be competitive in three competitions, we’re going to need that (new signings),” said Clement. “But it doesn’t mean that if a new player comes in that he has guarantee to play.
“It’s about showing yourself and showing that you are the best. And I don’t care if somebody is new or cost a lot of money or is 17 or 37 or has the biggest contract or the smallest contract in the team, it is just about what you show in the training.
“It’s about that and being part of a team, and wanting to be part of a team.”
Gers manager lambasts “wrong rumours”
Later asked about the situation with Ridvan Yilmaz, Philippe Clement explained that only players who are committed will make it into his team.
The Rangers boss also took aim at the “wrong rumours” surrounding both incomings and outgoings in the transfer window.
“We can only work and win games with players who are involved with the club and give everything,” said Clement. “Is that a guarantee that a player is here next week? That you never know.
“And it’s with every position on the field. But as long as they’re a player of Rangers they need to give their best and I will give them chances.
“But it’s transfer market, there are a lot of rumours, I have to say a lot of wrong rumours. Much more wrong than right. But I cannot go into detail because then I’m talking all the time about rumours and I prefer to talk about football and work with my players to make them better.”
Finally asked about potentially replacing long-term injured Brighton loanee Abdallah Sima, Clement once again shot down a journalist’s question.
“I don’t talk about positions or what we’re going to do,” said Clement. “I think everybody is getting bored of my answers already after a few weeks but speak with Belgian journalists they had it a few years like that every transfer market.
“But it is the way it is. I cannot speak about those things. I speak about those things in the club, that’s the most important.”
So far Philippe Clement has added only Wolves star Fabio Silva to his squad, the Portuguese forward signing a loan deal in Glasgow.
Rangers are also reportedly closing in on a deal for Ivorian midfielder Mohamed Diomande.
