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Michael Beale’s miserable return ‘fell short of club expectations’Credit: Willie Vass
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The current incumbent is even further behind the HoopsCredit: Willie Vass
When Beale was sacked the Ibrox board insisted results had “fallen short of what everyone connected to Rangers would expect”.
Just over 12 months on, Philippe Clement finds himself lagging eight behind Aberdeen in second place, with Celtic a whopping 11 points clear of their toiling Old Firm rivals.
In many ways, the Belgian’s Rangers career mirrors his time spent at Monaco.
Just further along the Cote d’azor, Clement made a fast start in the Principality.
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It included back-to-back wins against tonight’s Europa League opponents Nice.
But it quickly turned sour with his two-and-a-half year contract ripped up after just 18 months.
Just over a year into his role at Rangers, Clement is once again in a fight to save his job.
Securing a place in the knock-out stages of the Europa League would be a good way to start.
Victory against Nice would all but guarantee that.
Rangers winger Vaclav Cerny gives away his shirt following the 1-1 draw with Dundee Utd at Ibrox
Clement, therefore, is a man on a mission on his return to the French Riviera.
He said: “It’s special to be back, I had a really good time here.
“I enjoyed living here, I met some really nice people.
“A lot of friends will come to watch this game.
“This feels like a place where you were in a really good way.
“So I’m happy to be back in that way.
“But I’m not here for a holiday, or to meet people tomorrow, or to have talks with a lot of people.
“I’m here to work.
“I’m here to win together with the guys, or to do everything to win this game because it’s a massive game.
“For Nice, even more than for us, they have to win this one, clearly.
“We’re going to go for it and like always against every opponent we will try to go for the win.
“We never play for a loss.
Clement at Monaco
Here’s how the Belgian boss did in Monte Carlo…
Ligue 1 (French Domestic League)
2021-2022 Season:Clement took over in January 2022, midway through the season.He improved the team’s performance, leading to a strong finish in the league.Monaco secured a high position in the league, which qualified them for European competitions.2022-2023 Season:Clement’s team started the season with high expectations.Monaco showed consistency in their league performances, maintaining a competitive position in the top half of the table.
UEFA Competitions
UEFA Europa League 2021-2022:Monaco were already in the knockout stages when Clement took over.Under his management, they continued to perform well but were eventually knocked out in the later stages.UEFA Champions League 2022-2023:Monaco participated in the qualification rounds for the Champions League.They faced stiff competition and were ultimately unable to secure a place in the group stage.UEFA Europa League 2022-2023:After falling short in the Champions League qualifiers, Monaco participated in the Europa League.The team had mixed results in the group stage but showed potential in their performances.
Coupe de France (French Domestic Cup)
2021-2022 Season:Clement’s Monaco competed in the Coupe de France.They progressed through the initial rounds but were eliminated before reaching the final stages.2022-2023 Season:Monaco aimed to make a deeper run in the Coupe de France.They competed strongly, reaching the later stages of the tournament, although they faced tough opponents that tested their resilience.
Trophée des Champions
2022-2023 Season:As a top finisher in Ligue 1, Monaco had the opportunity to compete in the Trophée des Champions.This competition pits the Ligue 1 champion against the Coupe de France winner.
Summary of Competition Performance
Ligue 1: Clement’s tenure saw Monaco become a more consistent and competitive team in the league, securing high finishes and European qualification.UEFA Competitions: Monaco had mixed results in European competitions, with notable performances but also tough eliminations.Coupe de France: The team showed promise but faced challenges in progressing to the final stages.Trophée des Champions: Participation in this competition highlighted Monaco’s status as one of the top teams in French football.
“So if you can win here, I think we make a really big step in the qualification, or you’re almost certain of that.
“And taking a point can also be a really important point at the end.
“But we will go for the three points, against a really good team.”
While his team have toiled domestically this season, Clement remains unbeaten on the road in Europe.
He can extend that run to seven matches if he avoids defeat against Nice.
But why has it proved such a slog in the Scottish Premiership?
Clement said: “It has to do with the kind of games.
“But also domestically we need to do better and we had a few good ones domestically, but not enough for the standards of Rangers.
“So we’re working hard on that.
“For me the second half was good in the weekend, but if you play 90 minutes like that, then even with one goal against you score four or five.
“We could have scored four or five also.
“It was the game that we had the most shots this season on target in the league.
“The most times that we came into the box of the opponent in the league this season.
“So a lot of things were good, but you get one chance against one ball on target and we made a big mistake there.
“And we get a goal against and then you need to chase the game and we didn’t make the second goal or the third goal or the fourth goal because a really good goalkeeper was on the other side.
“Now we need to take the right conclusions and focus on this game again.
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Philippe Clement took Monaco into the Europa League knock-outsCredit: Getty
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He’s now brought his Rangers side to the south of France to play old neighbours NiceCredit: Willie Vass
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Both the manager and John Souttar know how important a win would beCredit: Willie Vass
“And then on Sunday being there again for the domestic also.
“Not only in Europe getting good results or in the cup because we’re also in the final there.”
Meanwhile, John Souttar – enjoying his best season in a Rangers jersey – knows just how massive a win in Nice would be.
He said: “I think when everyone saw the draw coming out they realised it was a tough group for us.
“We’ve got some big results at home and away, and tomorrow night it would be brilliant to get the three points and it’s what we’re all aiming for, and it’s what we’re working for.
“As you said, it would be a good thing for the team and it takes belief when you get big results like that, it brings everyone together, so it’s something we’re all aiming for.
“I feel like I’m in a really good spot physically.
“I feel like I’m playing every three days and I feel really good.
“So that’s a credit to the club and everything that goes on behind the scenes, because as I say, I feel really good and I feel comfortable playing every game.
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“It’s a good feeling as a player when you feel comfortable playing every game, and you feel like you can do that, because when you’re at a big club and you want to play centre-back, you need to play every three games, you have to be there, you have to be consistent.
“So it was important for me and my career to get to that level, and thankfully this season I have.”
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Publish date : 2024-11-27 12:02:00
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