Meeting Philippe Clement

Welcome to Rangers Philippe Clement.

2.45pm, Tuesday 17th October 2023, the Blue Room in the iconic main stand at Ibrox Stadium.

Rangers Football Club unveil their new man, Philippe Clement.

I was a late substitute to attend the press conference, thanks to Stevie prioritising a holiday for his kids over the announcement of our new manager.

It was quite an experience!

Firstly, CEO James Bisgrove spoke on the topic of a Director of Football, describing an appointment as ‘imminent’.

I have reservations on this as he also mentioned it taking weeks or months, however, I’m sure we’ll all be eager to see the board make a progressive appointment in this area.

Then it was all about the manager.

Philippe Clement arrives in Glasgow with a good managerial pedigree behind him, having won back to back league titles with Brugges in his home country.

Not to mention taking Genk to their first title in many years before that move.

A success we hope, can be replicated in Glasgow.

He spoke quietly of having spent 19 years at Club Brugge; as a player, youth coach and first team assistant/manager, describing them as a club for the people. It is this same feeling that has drawn him to Govan, a club where the supporters are the heartbeat.

He is no stranger to arriving mid season at a football club, having done so with both Genk and Monaco.

Any new manager would appreciate the summer break, 6/7 weeks to allow the implementation of a new philosophy.

However, the lack of preparation time doesn’t appear to phase him.

Having already identified areas to improve, the process starts now. “In the end, there were results, there were goals, there were good games.”

He likened the season to a marathon. Don’t focus on the guy running in front of you. It is not a sprint. Focus on improving yourself and the results will come.

I like it, but the one thing he won’t get at Ibrox is time.

James Tavernier has been the target of criticism for most of the season so far. Some of it warranted, some of it perhaps unfair.

It was inevitable that the question would be asked regarding his captaincy.

The manager was clear; I see no need to change that at the moment. There are other things that are more important.

Cyril Dessers is another who has failed to live up to expectations.

Interestingly, the manager knows he can play, touching on his performances in Belgium and Holland. Whether it’s a crisis of confidence or simply not suited to a playing style, I think we’ll all be watching with a keen eye to see if the new gaffer can get a tune out of our number nine.

He wants to work with the squad. It’s not as easy as coming in, tearing it up and starting again, particularly with so much invested during the summer.

The phrase ‘rebuilding a rebuild’ has been used by many but let’s face it, it won’t be a full rebuild and it would be foolish for us to expect it. I won’t be surprised if we see some of the squad moved on come the end of the season however.

James Bisgrove indicated funds would be available should they be required but it was clear, the emphasis was on working with the current playing squad.

An important point that I’ve left until now, and a word the manager used repeatedly today; Synergy.

The interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements. The two elements?

The team and the supporters.

He wants our backing, but more so, he wants us to back the team. Having touched on the booing from the stands and the effect that has on the squad, it was arguably the point he stressed the most today as being vital to our success.

Fan media had the chance so speak to the manager after the main press conference and this was one the main discussions.

We conveyed the expectation of the support, to win at all costs. I got the feeling he gets it.

He wants to win trophies, something that attracted him to Ibrox over a move to Saudi – showing money isn’t everything for a man who told us winning is his life.

He wants to install four pillars to transform this squad. To make them the best tactically, the best technically, the best physically and the best mentally. From there, we will win. There’s work to be done.

He has an air of authority, a firm handshake and a piercing stare. He commands your attention when he enters the room. He has a desire to win silverware, an expectation which he now shoulders.

Personally, I hope he gets time and I hope he gets a reaction from the players.

I wish him every success with my first love, Rangers Football Club.

Wij Zijn De Mensen.