Philippe Clement admits Rangers are facing a Pittodrie injury sweat.
The under-pressure Ibrox gaffer takes his side north to face Jimmy Thelin’s dazzling Dons on Wednesday in a clash that could have major ramifications for his future in Govan. The Belgian boss has huge respect for the an Aberdeen side he regards as the real deal having watched them mount a remarkable nine-game unbeaten to surge to the top of the table alongside Celtic.
But he confessed he has no idea if he’ll have key men John Souttar and Tom Lawrence back for the tough Granite City test after both men sat out yesterday’s nervy 2-1 win over St Mirren. Souttar was stood down from the meeting with Stephen Robinson’s Buddies on doctors orders, while Lawrence was missing having limped off against Steaua Bucharest on Thursday night.
Clement said: “John couldn’t play today. The medical staff and performance staff were really clear about that, that if we put him on the pitch it was a big risk for an injury. So that’s why I didn’t do it.
“Will he be OK for Wednesday? That I will see in the next few days. I don’t know if Tom is [available either], I don’t know, to be honest.”
What Clement was clear on is that his team will have to be far sharper against Aberdeen than they managed against the Buddies. The Ibrox faithful thought their team had turned a corner after savaging Steaua 4-0.
But they were back to their laboured worst during a drab opening 45 minutes as they hosted their Paisley rivals from along the M8. Mohamed Diomande did grab an early equaliser but it was cancelled out by Alex Gogic’s thumping header.
It was only when substitute Cyriel Dessers charged into the box to set up Vaclav Cerny for his sixth goal of the season that the Rangers faithful – who let rip at their board with another banner display – could celebrate victory.
“We need to be better than today,” confessed Clement. “We need to be at the level we were at on Thursday, but it’s a totally different game.
“Now it’s about recovering for Wednesday and seeing who’s fit and available. It’s important to take these three points when they are well-deserved. There were good things, there were moments that it was too slow, too sloppy. We started today with seven players who are new this season here at Rangers. We’re now almost end of October.
“Some are not even two months in the building. So step by step we try to integrate them in the squad, and get them used to their teammates, to the club, to the expectations on and off the field. That’s a work in progress. The second half was for me much better, with more urgency, more quality also on the ball, and a higher tempo and better chances.”
No side outwith the Old Firm have claimed a Scottish league crown since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Dons toppled the Glasgow giants back in 1985. But the Red Army are dreaming of a long-awaited repeat under new boss Thelin.
And Clement – who side trail the joint leaders by six points – said: “They’ve made an exceptional start. So it’s going to be a big challenge, I’m looking forward to that. I know the atmosphere from last season, so it’s a good place to go. We had a really good night there last season and I want to repeat that.”
Asked if Aberdeen were genuine title contenders, Clement added: “If they keep this level all season then they will be in. But I’m focused on Rangers and raising our level month by month and making things better here with the squad. There are still 29 games remaining, it’s a long way to go.”