Rangers duo slammed as summer signing labeled a flop, while ex-star calls for more from high earner.

A former player and pundit has called for more from two Rangers players while identifying the one factor keeping Philippe Clement in his role at the club.

 

Rangers eased some pressure on their manager with a 3-1 Scottish Premiership victory over Hearts.

 

However, the performance was far from perfect, as they managed to grind out a win despite not being at their best.

 

This result came just a week after their shock Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Championship side Queen’s Park, which had significantly increased scrutiny on Clement.

 

Alan Hutton, a Rangers academy graduate and former title winner with the club, has been analyzing the current situation under Clement.

 

While assessing the team’s struggles, he didn’t hold back in his criticism of certain players.

 

According to Hutton, Clement’s only saving grace at the moment is Rangers’ qualification for the knockout rounds of the Europa League.

 

The former right-back, speaking on Premier Sports, explained:

 

“I think the one thing keeping him in place right now is the fact that they managed to sneak into the top eight in the Europa League.

Everything seemed to fall their way, and they progressed into the knockout stages. If we’re being honest, some of their best performances have come in Europe this season.

 

“But if you look at the overall picture, it’s clear for everyone to see. Yes, they reached one cup final, but they were then eliminated by Queen’s Park in the next competition.

 

And in the league, they are nowhere near the level they need to be. For a club like Rangers, that’s just not good enough.

 

“At the start, I was willing to give them some leeway. There was a lot of change—experienced players leaving, the wage bill being lowered, younger players coming in who needed time to adjust.

 

I understood that, and I expected there to be struggles before things improved.

 

“But the big question is: are they actually improving, or are they getting worse? From what I see, particularly in domestic competitions, the performances just aren’t at the required level.

 

Their away form has been poor, and when other teams face Rangers now, they no longer fear them. Opponents sense the uncertainty and lack of confidence within the team.

 

“So, is it time for a change? We’ll have to wait and see in the coming weeks. They’ve got some tough fixtures ahead, and I think right now, Clement is just about hanging on.”

 

Lawrence and Bajrami under scrutiny

 

One of the big selection decisions Clement made for the Hearts match was bringing Tom Lawrence back into the starting lineup, with young midfielder Bailey Rice dropping to the bench after featuring against Queen’s Park.

 

With Lawrence’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, questions were raised about his role in the team.

 

Hutton was asked about Clement’s choice, as well as the performances of Nedim Bajrami, a summer signing who has faced his fair share of criticism.

 

He responded:

 

“Maybe Clement sees something in Lawrence that justifies picking him. Personally, I don’t see it.

 

Before, when Dessers and Igamane were playing alongside Cerny, Clement was getting something out of that front line.

 

But right now, he can’t afford to take risks with inexperienced players—he knows that.

 

He’s already tried it, and the Queen’s Park game was proof that it didn’t work.

 

“If he had played two or three youngsters against Hearts and they lost 4-0, he’d be out of a job. That’s the reality.

 

“Lawrence is probably on a big contract, and let’s be honest—he’s spent more time on the treatment table than on the pitch.

Yes, he has flashes of brilliance, but that’s not enough. Players in attacking positions need to deliver consistently, not just occasionally.

 

“As for Bajrami, I genuinely don’t know what he brings to the team. He was brought in for a significant fee, and let’s be real—Rangers don’t have money to waste.

 

Every signing needs to be a hit. Yet, Bajrami hardly plays, and when he does, he doesn’t make much of an impact.

 

“That reflects poorly on both the recruitment team and the manager.

 

You expect new signings to come in and contribute, but with him, he just seems to drift in and out of the team without offering much. Right now, I honestly don’t know what he brings to Rangers.”

 

Uncertain future

 

As Rangers navigate a difficult period, the pressure on Clement continues to mount. With crucial matches ahead, every decision he makes will be scrutinized as he fights to keep his job.

 

His success in Europe may have bought him time, but unless domestic performances improve, questions about his future will only grow louder.

 

Meanwhile, players like Lawrence and Bajrami will need to prove they deserve their places in the squad.

 

With the club still in a rebuilding phase, there is little room for inconsistency or underperformance.

 

Rangers fans expect high standards, and if those aren’t met, changes could be on the horizon—whether in the dugout or on the pitch.