Impressive Clement

Philippe Clement is bringing back the excitement and joy to Rangers.

Given the absolute mess he inherited it was almost unlikely that he would get such a response, but Rangers have kicked on again and may be in a position to salvage something from a season that almost looked lost.

Seven games in charge and six victories, our only draw a very valuable point in Prague which puts us in a great European position.

Victory at Hampden, against Hearts, to reach the Viaplay final also not to be dismissed lightly as Rangers have made heavy weather of such occasions in recent memory. In the league results have come but more importantly so have performances, in short it’s been fun again.

All of a sudden we have a very decent opportunity to progress in Europe whilst winning the group is also still a possibility. A Cup final day out also in the bag and league form has been stabilised with four solid performances.

But what is more important is how we have went about those victories, with an efficiency that’s extremely pleasing on the eye. Players have regained their confidence, the team are looking organised and with a structure, results have come whilst the support have reconnected with the team from the stands.

The football has at times been enjoyable to watch. It’s been fun to support again.

The elephant in the room may be how bad was it previously.

We have a tendency to focus on everything that is said but it would be remiss not to notice various players discuss fitness, the atmosphere and admissions to the new manager ‘Simplifying everything’.

It certainly doesn’t look good for the previous management and the apparent state that allowed things to descend into.

But Clement has come in almost with a quiet efficiency, focusing only on Rangers and what we do. He has not got involved in any media showboating nor has he shouted about what he was going to do in grand fashion.

He is focused, he is imposing and he is getting the respect he commands.

I must admit to be surprised at the level of response from the players, the manager has said it’s the best response he has seen from a group in just three short weeks. Considering it’s been a constant flow of games and very little training time, the improvement has been very welcome indeed.

Clements message has been solid and consistent, he speaks of involving everyone and creating a machine that wins games, he wants to win every one. Clips of his demanding demeanour of the sidelines have warmed the hearts of our supporters as he demands every ounce of effort at all times.

But the most important thing is consistency in his message.

He very rarely discusses individual players, preferring to focus on the team as a collective. He doesn’t delve into the injury situation, whilst that may be an adjustment of previous situations, quietly telling us very little to protect the players.

It’s always about the squad as a collective, he doesn’t want a small group but everyone to be ready for when he needs it.

No more promises of ‘X being back in a week’ only for it never to evolve. Instead before we know it the likes of Matondo, Sterling, Dowell and Roofe have all returned to the fold with barely a prior warning.

He talks of a synergy between the fans and players. Recreating that his biggest target because ‘when the fans are with us we get that energy’ and it showed as the fans roared the team over the line against Prague. He called that his greatest moment in last weeks European victory.

He only ever talks about Rangers. He has not made any wild promises about the league, indeed I don’t think he has even mentioned our rivals or what he is going to do. ‘One game at a time’ is our only focus.

His message is consistent and not muddled or contradictory.

Very much like the performances we are seeing on the pitch.

But in the middle of that serious side, it is pleasant to be in his company and he enjoys a joke at the right time. He has a presence and an aura which immediately commands a respect.

So far so good in a highly efficient manner.

Now we will find out everything about this squad and if they really are capable of not only salvaging this season but turning it into a successful one.

They have responded both individually and collectively however the challenge will be to prove that isn’t the ‘new manager bounce’ which can happen under a new leader.

You can see immediate improvement.

That’s undeniable but the bar was extremely low. That shouldn’t diminish what they have achieved however.

They look organised with a structure and they all know how to respond in that set up. They know how to press and when, we have patterns and connections to our play that simply were not there before.

Players have taken their opportunities and have kicked on, that ‘white page’ that was offered to everyone has been grabbed whilst some we may have written off have excelled. Who would have predicted Wright, Balogun and Lundstram would have been amongst the star men of the last few weeks?

None of it is rocket science. It’s structured with principles on and off the ball, we look organised and everyone knows what they are doing.

It almost seems easy right?

Well in theory yes but given the mess that was inherited we can be quietly impressed with what we have seen so far.

The players will be working in this international break, a decision made with the desire of the squad telling in that decision. They want to work, they want to learn and are eager to prove that they have been written off far too quickly.

Before Santa arrives Rangers will know their European fate. We will have been to Hampden for a cup final and visited Pittodrie, Tynecastle and Fir Park with Celtic Park looming as the 2023 calendar closes.

That is now an opportunity rather than being something to fear.

No wild shouts or predictions are to be made, after all this squad continue to have it all to prove. But as we sing ‘Old Lang Syne’ and welcome 2024, European progress, a cup victory and being back in the league race is all a wishful target once more.

There is no longer a trepidation about what we are seeing but an excitement to kick on and see just what this manager can achieve before getting a chance to strengthen this squad in January.

That trepidation and dread of what Rangers ‘may turn up’ has been replaced with excitement and a determination that all is not lost.

‘One game at a time’ but the excitement is returning.

Led by a quietly efficient impressive Belgian.