Philippe Clement is embracing the challenge of facing Celtic in the Premier Sports League Cup Final at Hampden on December 15, describing it as “a good thing” for his Rangers side. While Celtic cruised to a dominant 6-0 victory over Aberdeen in their semi-final, Clement’s team had to dig deep, narrowly defeating Motherwell 2-1 after trailing at halftime. The win, though hard-earned, has given the Belgian manager and his players a renewed sense of determination as they prepare for their next big test.
Currently, Rangers are under pressure in the league, trailing Celtic and Aberdeen by nine points after a mixed start to the season, which included three defeats and a draw in their first ten matches. Additionally, their Champions League ambitions were dashed early in the qualifying rounds by Dinamo Kyiv, while in the Europa League, they recently suffered a 4-1 defeat to Lyon at home. This string of results has increased the urgency for success in domestic competitions, making the upcoming final a critical opportunity.
Against Motherwell, Rangers faced a tense moment when former player Andy Halliday scored to put them behind in the first half. However, Cyriel Dessers leveled shortly after the break, and Nedim Bajrami scored the winner late in the match, allowing Rangers to narrowly avoid extra time.
Reflecting on the upcoming final, Clement acknowledged the significance of facing Celtic, calling it “the biggest challenge in Scotland.” He noted that while the match will be tough, it’s also a chance to rekindle the “amazing feeling” of cup success shared with fans last season. Clement emphasized the importance of mental resilience, which he believes was a defining factor in Rangers’ win against Motherwell.
Clement also stressed that his team must sustain their focus and determination every game, using this win as a reference point for the rest of the season. He highlighted the need for balance between mentality and quality on the pitch, calling for both fighting spirit and refined play to achieve their goals.
Looking forward, Clement hopes the team’s comeback against Motherwell will fuel belief for the months ahead, even as Celtic await them in what is set to be a thrilling showdown just days before Christmas.
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