Fans calling for a managerial change at Rangers are nothing short of “crazy” and are fortunate to have Philippe Clement at the helm, according to the Belgian’s mentor, René Desaeyere.
In the wake of another Old Firm derby defeat, which saw Celtic triumph 3-0 on Sunday, Clement is facing mounting pressure as the Light Blues now trail their bitter rivals by five points just four games into the season.
Clement’s record against Celtic has been dismal, with five attempts to secure a victory yielding nothing.
The frustration among fans has reached boiling point, particularly as the much-heralded summer rebuild under his leadership has yet to bear fruit.
With several key departures and the jury still out on the new arrivals, doubts have surfaced regarding the squad’s overall strength.
The atmosphere soured further when Rangers returned from Parkhead to a hostile reception at Ibrox, and statistics showing a dismal number of shots on target have only added fuel to the fire.
However, Desaeyere has come to Clement’s defence, urging the Rangers faithful to be patient and allow the manager time to prove his worth. Speaking to the Scottish Sun, he said:
“Philippe loves a challenge, and he’ll face this one at Rangers head-on. Do people think he’s going to go away and hide in a corner? No chance. Philippe will fight back, don’t worry about that. Nobody should ever underestimate him.”
Desaeyere expressed bewilderment at the criticism directed at Clement following the derby loss, arguing that the fans’ expectations might be unrealistic.
“Yes, Rangers lost to Celtic, and it’s not nice when a derby game against your rivals ends 3-0. But I don’t understand this criticism of Philippe. What do the fans expect? He is a top coach, and a lot of European clubs would love to have someone like him in charge.”
The mentor also highlighted the club’s long-term ambitions, stressing that Clement needs time to mould the team and nurture young talents.
“Rangers want him to build a team. They want him to give young players a chance and develop them. OK, well let’s give him a chance to do that then.
“Celtic are a strong side, so you need time to get to that level and challenge them. You can’t say after four weeks of the season and so many changes, ‘Philippe Clement is no good… we need a new coach’. It’s crazy.”
Desaeyere is confident that with patience, Clement will lead Rangers back to glory.
“Philippe has a great mentality. He is very strong and sure of himself. I am convinced that he and his assistants, who I also know, can rebuild Rangers and make them champions again.
“But he needs time. You need to stay patient and trust him. Let’s talk in January. I guarantee that Rangers will be in a better place, and then, with two or three signings, who knows what can happen.”