Worried Michael Stewart admits he “fears” for Philippe Clement and his Rangers future amid another major shake up at the club.
John Gilligan has stepped in to replace John Bennett on a temporary basis as chairman with the club yet to replace chief executive James Bisgrove after he left for the Saudi Pro League earlier this year. Former board chief Dave King had thrown has hat in the ring to lead Rangers once again but Record Sport understands the Ibrox directors are set to refuse the offer from the South African businessman.
Bennett had been a leading support of Belgian boss Clement and his plans to overhaul the squad to fit in line with the club’s revamp of their player-trading model – but with the Light Blues’ struggling to find top gear so far in the Scottish Premiership concerns are being raised by the support. Going into last weekend’s win over Dundee United, temperatures had reached boiling point with the fans confronting Clement on the steps of Ibrox after defeat to Celtic.
Stewart reckons “real pressure” is building on the boss early in the campaign – but insists those at the top of the club must stick with man in dugout like the Rangers’ higher-ups did with Steven Gerrard. The former Hearts and Hibs midfielder told The Scottish Football Social Club: “They started the game brightly (against Dundee United) but I think over the course of the full 90 minutes there is anybody who comes out of it thinking it’s a stellar performance – but it’s a win.
“It gives them something to build from. But, in reality, what do Rangers do here? I fear for the manager. There is a real pressure that is building and the pressure from the supporters is, of course, huge.
“Does the pressure become too much and the board capitulate and get rid of another manager, and start all over again? Or is there going to be an acceptance and an understanding that they have got to give somebody a bit of time.
“They gave Steven Gerrard time and eventually he was able to win the title. This is a difficult position for Rangers. Turnover is massively lower than Celtic when you add in the Champions League money as well, how do you bridge that gap?
“You are having to turn over a squad, turn over a board, trying to find executives – I just don’t think the wise thing to do would be to try and find a new manager as well. I know there are some serious questions being asked of him, but his hands are tied to a great extent at the moment.”