Outrage Grows Over Philippe Clement’s Sack as ‘Hogwash’ and ‘Sheer Idiocy’ Are Blasted
Robert Grieve Criticizes Rangers Fans for Believing Philippe Clement is the Right Leader Moving Forward
Clement secured his first Old Firm victory on 2 January as Rangers convincingly defeated Celtic 3-0 at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership.
Despite this significant win, the Light Blues remain 11 points behind Celtic in the title race.
Under Philippe Clement’s management, Rangers have been inconsistent, with several poor performances tarnishing his tenure so far.
Newspaper columnist Grieve criticized those lauding Clement after the Old Firm win, highlighting the broader context of his leadership struggles.
Writing in the Scottish Sun (5 January, page 62), Grieve remarked:
“So, Philippe Clement is no longer on the brink.
For some, the Old Firm result at Ibrox proved beyond all doubt that the big Belgian is the right man for Rangers.
“It seems the mere suggestion he was ever under pressure was sheer idiocy.
All this because of a couple of admirable derby performances in 17 days.
“What about the three other dreadful displays during that time? No, apparently, we must overlook those. I’m sorry, but what nonsense.”
Should Rangers Sack Philippe Clement?
Rangers’ performances under Clement have been far from flawless.
The Belgian inherited a fractured team from Michael Beale and has also faced challenges with poor leadership from the club’s higher-ups.
Since Steven Gerrard’s departure in November 2021, Rangers have been on a downward trajectory.
While managers bear some responsibility, the constant cycle of hiring and firing has done little to address the club’s deeper issues.
Clement has made his share of mistakes, but there’s a pressing need for Rangers to show patience. Sacking managers repeatedly will not bridge the gap with Celtic.
The reality is that Celtic currently have a stronger squad, leading to more derby victories, silverware, and consistent performances.
Rangers cannot expect to close the gap simply by changing managers.
With a new hierarchy in place at Ibrox, the focus should be on supporting Clement and giving him the time and resources to rebuild the team.
Stability, rather than short-term fixes, is essential if Rangers are to challenge Celtic in the long run.
Fans may find this hard to accept, but true progress will only come through a committed and sustained effort to back a manager and address the structural problems holding the club back.
