The Belgian boss faces a big turnover in players this summer as the Light Blues aim to dethrone Celtic.
Rangers’ “totally unaccountable” record versus Celtic over the past three years has been criticized by Kenny Dalglish, who also cautioned that despite the Hoops’ assurance of Champions League football, things won’t get any easier.
Since taking over at Ibrox, Philippe Clement has failed to win against Celtic, even losing in the Scottish Cup final.
This season, Rangers supporters have seen even more suffering as a result of his lack of success against the Hoops. And with just two victories over their opponents over the previous three seasons, the Light Blues’ record doesn’t get any better for Ibrox aficionados.
Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic team was defeated 1-0 by Steven Gerrard’s Rangers in August 2021, handing the Australian loser of his first Old Firm derby.
Michael Beale would win his first Old Firm match in May 2023, defeating Celtic 3-0, on his sixth try, however Celtic had already been declared Scottish Premiership title at that point.
Furthermore, Dalglish maintains that Rangers’ record is “good enough,” but he also believes that the team may not be able to afford to catch up to their rivals because Celtic is assured a £40 million prize from the group stage, while Clement has to get through the playoffs.
Dalglish, in a Sunday Post article, stated: “Brendan Rodgers and his team were deserving winners. They produced the goods when it counted.
They tied with Rangers once and defeated them four times. It was an excellent recording. Conversely, Rangers must figure out how to defeat their fiercest opponents.
They believe that their performance in Old Firm games over the previous three years has been completely unacceptable.
Yes, they can mention that a single goal decided all of their losses. In the Scottish Cup final last week, they also had Celtic pinned back for stretches and performed admirably at times.
However, given the size of the club and its success record, since when was that enough or appropriate? Now it is up to Philippe Clement to figure out a solution. He also needs to finish it right now. More losses are not acceptable.
There won’t be a bottomless hole, but we’ll have to wait and see what type of budget he has to deal with. The sooner players are admitted, the better.
They must bring in some quality players and make more of an effort from the current bunch, especially from those who will still be there at the beginning of August.
Their Champions League qualifiers begin in that same month, so it would be quite beneficial if they could win the £40 million prize.
Although it is a significant request, completing the two rounds is not impossible. “It is much evident now that people in the city are certain about what they can do in the transfer market.
It will be lot more comforting for Brendan and the hierarchy to know what they have to deal with.
There is still a chance that Jota’s situation from last summer—when a surprise £25 million bid from Saudi Arabia kept him away—could occur. However, it appears that Celtic are well-positioned to respond to any eventuality, even a big offer for Matt O’Riley.”
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