The Scottish Premiership clash between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park is set to be a crucial match, especially for Rangers’ manager Philippe Clement. With the game being the first Old Firm derby of the season, Clement believes a victory could significantly alter the “negative perception” currently surrounding Rangers.
Rangers have had a challenging start to the season, dropping points against Hearts on the opening weekend and suffering a disappointing exit from the Champions League qualifiers at the hands of Dynamo Kyiv. The frustrations have been compounded by delays to building works at Ibrox, forcing Rangers to play their home games at Hampden Park.
Despite the setbacks, Clement remains optimistic that a win against their biggest rivals, Celtic, would not only lift the spirits of the supporters but also change the narrative around the club. He acknowledges the importance of the derby for both the fans and the team, recognizing it as one of the most important games of the season.
Rangers have made some late additions to their squad, including Albania midfielder Nedim Bajrami and Feyenoord defender Neraysho Kasanwirjo. However, Bajrami will not be eligible to play in the derby as his paperwork has not been processed in time.
Clement described the efforts to rebuild the Rangers squad as a “massive” task. He emphasized the importance of creating long-term value for the club rather than just focusing on short-term solutions. With several players leaving the club at the end of their contracts over the past two seasons, Clement is working to break the cycle and build a squad that can provide sustained value and success.
As Rangers prepare for the derby, Clement remains confident in his young and exciting team, even though he acknowledges they are still a work in progress. A win against Celtic could be a pivotal moment for the team and could set the tone for the rest of the season.
GET MORE RELATED CONTENT ON SPORTWORDS.CO.UK
Leave a Reply