Sport Nation 2Rangers’ recent struggles in the Scottish Premiership have ignited serious questions about manager Philippe Clement’s future at the club. Following a disappointing 2-1 loss to Aberdeen at Pittodrie, Rangers now find themselves nine points behind rivals Celtic and Aberdeen, putting Clement under immense pressure.
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd, who has been vocal about the club’s recent performances, has called for Clement’s departure. In an impassioned analysis, Boyd expressed frustration with the team’s lack of progress, suggesting that the manager has failed to inspire improvement. Boyd stated, “He needs to go now. If there’s progression, you can cut him some slack, but eight of today’s eleven players were already at the club before he arrived—that’s not progression.”
Boyd further criticized the Rangers’ overall approach and their inability to compete with Aberdeen, who have outperformed them in various aspects, from management to recruitment. “Aberdeen deserve their victory and are, by far, a better team than Rangers right now,” he said. “They have a better manager, better recruitment, and a better team.” According to Boyd, Rangers are making excuses, focusing on factors like budget cuts, yet continue to underperform on the pitch.
The 2-1 loss to Aberdeen only exacerbated the issues surrounding Rangers’ recruitment strategy, which has been under intense scrutiny. The club saw a major overhaul in the summer, with 16 players leaving and 11 new signings joining the squad. Clement had been tasked with a significant rebuild, aiming to reduce wages and focus on building a competitive team. However, Boyd believes Rangers’ recruitment has been “diabolical,” with new signings failing to make a meaningful impact. He argued that despite spending over £10 million, Rangers have downgraded in nearly every position, highlighting that Aberdeen managed to construct a stronger team with a budget of just £2 million.
Boyd directed some of his criticism toward Nils Koppen, Rangers’ director of football recruitment, stating that the lackluster signings are partly his responsibility. He noted, “Nils Koppen can’t be immune to criticism here. The recruitment has been diabolical once again.” Boyd pointed out that, unlike Rangers, Aberdeen has managed to build a cohesive squad with a modest budget, which has yielded better results.
Boyd also highlighted some of the new signings who have failed to meet expectations, including Mohamed Diomande, Jefte, and Robin Propper, suggesting that these players have not brought the quality Rangers need to challenge at the top. “Blame cutbacks all you want; there is still money being spent,” Boyd emphasized, pointing to the sizable investments made in these players without substantial returns on the pitch.
Adding to the critique, former Celtic player Chris Sutton joined the conversation, describing Rangers’ current state as “embarrassing.” Sutton argued that even in games they’ve won, Rangers have been “a rotten watch.” According to Sutton, the fan base will be enraged, especially as the team falls further behind Celtic and is outperformed by Aberdeen, one of their fiercest rivals. He suggested that Rangers should consider a managerial change, even though Clement was given considerable autonomy and signed a new contract earlier in the season. “They let him get his way at the start of the season,” Sutton remarked. “He should never have signed a new contract.”
Despite the criticism, Clement has remained steadfast in his belief that he can turn things around for Rangers. In response to the mounting pressure, he acknowledged the club’s challenges and urged for patience. He has been focused on reducing the squad’s age, developing young talent, and adjusting the club’s trading model. However, with the team’s performance faltering, many are questioning if this long-term vision aligns with Rangers’ immediate need to compete for titles.
Interim chairman John Gilligan has expressed support for Clement, emphasizing that the club intends to stand by him through this challenging period. In a recent interview, Gilligan stated, “The manager has brought in some good, exciting young players. He’s trying to take the age of the squad down, trying to get the trading model correct, and I think this is the moment where we hopefully back the manager.” However, he acknowledged that patience is a rare virtue in football, especially when results don’t meet fans’ expectations.
Rangers’ next fixtures are crucial for both Clement and the club. They face Motherwell in the League Cup semi-final, followed by a Europa League clash against Olympiacos, and domestic league matches against Hearts and Dundee United. These games offer Clement an opportunity to reverse Rangers’ fortunes and build confidence among fans and players alike. But if results don’t improve, the calls for his departure will only grow louder.
With Rangers trailing their rivals and struggling to find consistent form, the club must carefully weigh their options. Clement’s approach may be focused on long-term growth, but Rangers’ supporters are seeking immediate improvement, especially given the high expectations that come with managing one of Scotland’s most storied clubs. The outcome of the next few matches will likely determine whether Clement’s tenure at Ibrox continues or if the club decides to make another managerial change in search of success.
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