Becoming recognized as a miracle worker has its drawbacks.
The temptation to think that water is actually walkable becomes almost overpowering if you consistently defy established logic. And if it hasn’t already put Philippe Clement in the ground, then that extremely dangerous situation is coming to face him. Clement is about to go on the last stages of an absolutely astounding comeback journey, having inherited the equivalent of five loaves and two fish from Michael Beale. Still, the Rangers manager may have cause to ponder over the coming days as to whether or not Thursday night’s victory over Benfica would end up being more trouble than it’s worth.
If the thought does cross your mind, it’s likely to be immediately brushed aside. With a steely mentality that has entirely changed the course of a squad that was headed nowhere before he took over, Clement “The Mechanic” is motivated by a deep-seated desire to win, maybe at any cost.
Furthermore, one that is now two points ahead of the pack in the Premiership and just 90 minutes away from the Scottish Cup final four and the Europa League quarterfinals. With so much still up for grabs, it would be impossible to hold the man in power responsible for his greed. Nor should he be, considering that he has already fed 5,000. Ultimately, what reputable manager would intentionally restrict the extent of their own goals?
However, the more time and attention he receives during his debut season in Scottish football, the greater the cost. Clement only needs to glance at the line outside the club’s Auchenhowie headquarters’ medical area to be reminded of it.
He might also be concerned about the lessons of recent history, which demonstrate that lengthy European campaigns are incompatible with success at home in Scotland. Rangers stayed at home and won a treble in 2003 when Celtic under Martin O’Neill led them to a UEFA Cup Final.
When Walter Smith accomplished the same feat in 2008, his crew ran out of gas before the finish line and collapsed in the final yards of the championship race from pure weariness.
And after Giovanni van Bronckhorst created history two years ago by taking the Ibrox club all the way to Seville, Ange Postecoglou triumphed in winning the Scottish championship.
Going the distance in Europe crippled Van Bronckhorst so much that he played Joe Aribo as a substitute striker to end the competition. After six months, he was laid off. As more wounds mount inside his hospital room, Clement is now left trying to juggle plates.
As the number of casualties keeps rising, young Cole McKinnon is the most recent addition to the line of reinforcements called into action. The 21-year-old, who has played on loan at East Fife and Partick Thistle, was thrust into action at the Stadium of Light last Thursday. On Sunday, he came off the bench again against Hibs, and he might have more to play when the Portuguese powerhouses visit Ibrox for the second leg.
McKinnon is a ready conscript to Clement’s boundless philosophy, just like the others.
McKinnon, like the others, is a willing conscript into Clement’s boundless worldview. “It shows the belief he has,” he stated. When I got in, the score at Benfica was 2-2, and we were leading Hibs by just 1-0 in a tense match. It thereby demonstrates his faith in younger players.
“With everyone, the management has been excellent. As soon as he entered the building, the players’ attitudes changed, and everyone is supporting what he is attempting to accomplish.
I can speak for myself when I say that working with him makes me feel much better about myself and improves my game in a variety of ways.
I am grateful that he has given me these opportunities and that I am training there since I have truly liked working with him. It is due to unfortunate circumstances—a few injuries—but you have to seize the chance when it presents itself, and I am excited for Thursday.
Despite Clement’s best efforts, one unquestionable reality still stands. Rangers will most likely not win any European trophies this season, despite the possibility that they will complete the task they began against Benfica and go to the round of eight for two very excellent reasons. Leverkusen and Liverpool.
However, McKinnon and his teammates do not currently want to be roused from the slumber that their manager has induced. He continued, saying, “Being out there on the same pitch as some of those Benfica players the other night was actually pretty weird.”
“I used to watch these people on TV, and now I’m right there with them! It is excellent. But ultimately, it’s my job, so you can only take so much from it. You must enter and have fun there; you cannot be overly enamored with everything. However, I really enjoyed being there; it was a wonderful experience.
At Ibrox, McKinnon inked his first professional deal on the same day as Ross McCausland, who secured a spot in Clement’s squad and was the only available fit winger in Lisbon last week.
It is now McKinnon’s turn to take on a portion of the responsibility. He is ecstatic about it as well. That’s football, he said. A lot of athletes missing time at once is not ideal because injuries do occur. I have to step up now, even if we have had a terrible season with injuries.
“I will fill up the gaps in goals no matter where in the park they are. I am the kind of player that will play wherever I am required to. Hopefully, I can continue to take my chances and remain modest if they arise. Not to get ahead of myself too much.
Since I only have two appearances, I must continue to put in a lot of effort in my daily training, and perhaps that will pay off. Since I’m a Rangers fan, there would be questions if I wasn’t eager for more.
Get related news on
sportchannel.co.uk
Leave a Reply