Keith Jackson has hinted that Rangers players James Tavernier and Cyriel Dessers may be casting doubts on manager Philippe Clement following their Scottish League Cup semi-final victory over Motherwell on 3 November.
Although the Gers triumphed 2-1 at Hampden Park, securing a place in the final against Celtic on 15 December, a moment on the bench raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.
Speaking on the Daily Record’s Hotline Live on 4 November, Jackson shared his observations of a telling exchange between Tavernier and Dessers after they were substituted.
“Tavernier looks shot by the way, his body language is all over the place,” Jackson remarked.
“During the second half, the bit where the cameras panned to the bench, it actually looked like Tavernier was sat next to Cyriel Dessers and look, we don’t know what the conversation was but it looked as if the two of them were almost looking at the manager saying ‘this guy doesn’t know what he’s doing’.”
With Clement’s position at Ibrox already under scrutiny, such a scene adds fuel to the fire. Although the Belgian has retained his role despite defeats to Celtic, Aberdeen, and Lyon this season, there’s a growing sense that further slip-ups could seal his fate.
While the board may currently be standing by him, fan patience appears to be wearing thin as inconsistency continues to plague the club.
Despite glimpses of promise, Clement has struggled to solidify his standing. Rangers fans, meanwhile, expect significantly more from their team and are growing frustrated with the lack of a clear direction.
The whispers of dissatisfaction from the stands have not gone unnoticed, and even board member John Gilligan, supportive of Clement so far, must be feeling the pressure.
Tavernier, in particular, has faced criticism this season, with costly errors that have compounded Rangers’ troubles on the pitch.
Unless there’s a quick and sustained improvement in form, Clement may well find himself packing his bags long before the festive season truly begins.