Sport Nation 2Rangers Football Club is facing increasing pressure after another disappointing result, losing 1-0 to Kilmarnock in a high-stakes Scottish Premiership match. The defeat has left Rangers six points behind both Celtic and Aberdeen, with fans and pundits questioning whether manager Philippe Clement can turn the season around. This latest setback has fueled speculation about Clement’s future at Ibrox and ignited rumors about a potential return of former manager Steven Gerrard, a prospect that many Celtic fans would welcome.
The 1-0 loss to Kilmarnock is just the latest in a series of underwhelming performances from Rangers this season. Celtic had given their rivals an opportunity to close the gap at the top of the table by drawing 2-2 with Aberdeen at Parkhead. If Rangers had won their match, they would have been only three points behind Celtic in the title race. However, Clement’s side failed to capitalize, further increasing the pressure on the Belgian manager.
Since taking over at Rangers, Clement has struggled to inspire confidence in both the team and the fans. While he led the club to a Scottish League Cup victory early in his tenure, his overall performance has been inconsistent. Last season, Clement managed to overturn a significant Celtic lead in the league, only to lose it again shortly afterward. This season, Rangers have failed to show the form required to challenge Celtic and Aberdeen at the top of the table, and some fans fear they could finish as low as third.
Clement’s troubles are compounded by the growing unrest among Rangers supporters. During the match against Kilmarnock, a banner was displayed by the Rangers faithful, demanding better management of the club. The banner read, “The mismanagement of Rangers must stop and stop now,” reflecting the frustration that many fans feel toward the club’s leadership, both on and off the pitch. The pressure is clearly mounting on Clement to deliver results, especially as Rangers’ title hopes fade further with each disappointing game.
In response to the criticism, Clement addressed the media after the loss, acknowledging the fans’ frustration but also emphasizing his belief in the potential of the current squad. Speaking to The Guardian, Clement said, “It’s normal that they’re unhappy. There’s not one person on the staff or one player who was happy after this game, after losing. So that’s normal. The players showed respect towards the fans, the fans showed what they felt about the results, and that’s normal.”
Clement went on to stress that his focus remains on improving the team’s performance: “It’s about getting back the results, that’s the main thing, and then the fans get behind you. I think the anger has to do with a lot of things. So I will be focused on the sporting side to get the best out of this squad.” He also expressed confidence in the potential of the players, noting that the team has more to offer than what has been seen so far this season: “We’re going to work really hard with this squad, and there is a lot of potential in this squad. Much more potential than people see maybe for the moment. So it’s about working hard with them and making them better.”
Despite Clement’s optimism, there is a growing sense that his time at Rangers may be running out. His inability to deliver consistent results, especially in high-pressure situations, has led many to believe that a managerial change could be on the horizon. Some fans are already calling for the return of Steven Gerrard, who previously managed Rangers and led them to a Premiership title during the 2020-21 season. Gerrard’s tenure at Ibrox was marked by mixed success, with the Premiership title being his only significant achievement in over three years at the club. However, his reputation remains strong among a section of Rangers supporters who believe he could revive the team’s fortunes.
For Celtic fans, the idea of Gerrard returning to Rangers is seen as an opportunity to challenge his managerial abilities under different circumstances. While Gerrard won the league with Rangers, it was during a season when Celtic were experiencing their worst campaign in recent memory, and there were no fans in the stadiums due to COVID-19 restrictions. Many Celtic supporters are eager to see how Gerrard would fare if he returned to the Scottish Premiership in a more competitive environment, with full stadiums and a resurgent Celtic side.
Since leaving Rangers, Gerrard’s managerial career has been less than stellar. He struggled during his time at Aston Villa, where he was eventually replaced by Unai Emery, who has since transformed the team into a Champions League contender. Gerrard’s current role at Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia has also been challenging, with his team winless in their last four league games. Despite these setbacks, Gerrard’s name continues to be linked with a potential return to Ibrox, much to the delight of Celtic fans who question whether he truly has the managerial quality to succeed in Scotland again.
As Rangers face uncertainty, Celtic also have their own concerns. While they remain at the top of the table, their recent performances have been far from convincing. The 2-2 draw with Aberdeen, in which Celtic squandered a two-goal lead, highlighted some of the team’s defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in the absence of key defender Cameron Carter-Vickers. The Hoops will need to address these issues quickly, as they prepare for a challenging away trip to face Atalanta in the Champions League.
The situation at Rangers, combined with Celtic’s own struggles, has created a tense atmosphere in Scottish football. Both clubs are under pressure to deliver results, but for Philippe Clement, the stakes are particularly high. With a restless fanbase and a series of underwhelming performances, the Belgian manager may find himself out of a job if he cannot turn things around soon. The speculation surrounding Steven Gerrard’s potential return only adds to the drama, as both Celtic and Rangers fans watch closely to see how the managerial situation at Ibrox unfolds.
In conclusion, Rangers’ defeat to Kilmarnock has deepened the crisis at the club, with manager Philippe Clement facing increasing pressure from both fans and pundits. His inability to deliver consistent results has led to speculation about his future, and many Rangers supporters are calling for a change in leadership. Meanwhile, former manager Steven Gerrard’s name continues to be linked with a potential return, a prospect that Celtic fans would relish. As the Scottish Premiership season progresses, both Rangers and Celtic have plenty of challenges ahead, and the next few weeks could prove pivotal in determining the fate of the managers at Scotland’s two biggest clubs.
Sport nation
Amina Umar
Sport Nation 2