Rangers manager Philippe Clement is refusing to give up on the title – even if the Ibrox club’s increasingly fate hopes threatened to fizzle out against Dundee.
The Belgian boss has been lauded extensively for galvanising a limited squad in disrepair back in October but the honeymoon is very much over for Big Phil and his team.
One Scottish Premiership victory in five makes for woeful reading with four points shipped in two games to Ross County and Dundee.
Despite the lacklustre 0-0 draw at Dens Park, Philippe Clement has defended his side with the eyebrows of Rangers fans everywhere certainly raised by these post-Dundee comments.
Whilst the Gers manager might’ve been trying to gee up his confidence-sapped players in a post-match press conference, was the Belgian watching the same game as us?
Philippe Clement Dundee v Rangers press conference
Do you think you got a reaction from your players following the Ross County defeat?
“Yes they gave a reaction. We didn’t get the result we wanted. We were the only team to deserve this result this evening. In the possession, in the chances also, in the clear chances. But you need to put the ball against the net and you need also some luck sometimes. So we had a few good opportunities, good saves of the goalkeeper, who played a really good game, a few times that the ball was saved on the line in the goal. So you need to take that moment and that opens up the game. If Dundee needs to come then also and to do something with the ball, what they almost didn’t do except from the start of the game.”
Are the last two results concerning?
“It would be concerning if it was the same performance as Sunday. That was not the case. So there were a lot of things much better. It was also needed because Sunday was our worst performance in the six months that we’ve been together. And then it’s a pity if they show better things that you don’t get a result behind you but it’s about standing up and being ready for Sunday again to take the result. If they keep on pushing what they did today, then results come also because that’s not a big difference with how they played a few weeks ago, or a few months ago.”
Do you feel that was a good reaction tonight?
“Yes of course it’s a good reaction but I know for journalists, for fans, it’s sometimes only looking at the result. I saw players who give everything to get a result. And it’s not easy against a team who play man marking all over the pitch and follow you even if you go to the toilet. So to create the space, we created the chances, the chances were there, also on a pitch that’s bumpy and it’s difficult to control a ball in moments and do the decisive things, but those are not excuses. My team gave today everything. I was angry, I was disappointed on Sunday. Today I’ve seen a team who could of course do things better, of course. But I saw a team who wanted to do everything to get the result and to play out of the structure that we always used the last couple of months and because of that, that we’ve been decisive also.”
How do you see your chances of the title at the moment?
“I said when we were winning the games, I said the same. I will look at the end but OK you guys points out the ranking a lot. So I know we need maybe to win five games to do that but we made series like that during the season. So it’s about game-by-game doing that and focusing on that and not on series. So we still have our own fate in our hands.”
How frustrating is the result?
“Yeah of course it’s frustrating because you want to win, of course. And you see that the team gives everything for that and you deserve it also. There was only one team who deserved to win this evening if you see the possession and the chances. So yeah it’s always frustrating if you have those things and you don’t win the points.”
Supporters were unhappy at the final whistle, what do you say to them?
“That they need to stick with the team, that’s super important. Because it’s winning together and losing points together. And I know as a fan you have the emotions and for sure after a game but they’ve been great the last couple of months. They have been pushing the team also over difficult moments and that’s what I expect also in this situation, like they expected that the team gives everything to win games. And maybe then the next couple of weeks they can push the team a few times over the line or the ball over the line.”
How much do you believe that side still has it in them to go on and win the title?
“I still believe that. I was maybe the only one in Glasgow who believed that in October. Probably the only one of all town who believed that. So we are now six months later and if we win all our games then there’s a really big possibility for that. So I think that’s already a big step forward and I believe in these players, in this group, because I’ve seen what they’ve done this season already.”
You’ve dropped points in the last three games; are your players struggling with the pressure of the title race?
“No, I don’t think so. I don’t think it has anything to do with that, no.”
