Rangers gaffer Philippe Clement has told the Ibrox board he needs January transfer reinforcements.
The Belgian boss has bemoaned the lack of goals his side have scored in the Premiership – just 18 compared to leaders Celtic’s 40. Gers stand-in chairman John Gilligan has previously said there will be resources available to strengthen in the New Year. And Clement – whose side trails their Old Firm rivals by 11 points in the league – admits it’s a necessity to bolster his ranks.
Ahead of the next window, he said: “I’m not going to go into detail, that’s something to discuss with the board. I think we have other parts of the team to strengthen also (aside from forward players) to be competitive every three days. But those are things to discuss with the board. For sure, the funds haven’t been done yet but in the near future we need to see the reality of that.
“Do I feel we need to do it in January to achieve what we want? I think it’s necessary that we can do things. Just like every team wants and every manager wants. So we’ll see what’s possible.”
Clement’s side face Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday night. Dujon Sterling is still a doubt with a nerve problem but Dutch defender Robin Propper is fit to play after being replaced at half-time in Sunday’s 1-0 win over St Johnstone.
Rangers have scored less goals than Dundee, St Mirren and Dundee United so far this season – and the same as second-bottom side Hibs. Clement admits he wants to see more goals from his team and urged the players to be more clinical against Killie – who beat them at Rugby Park last time out.
But he’s also asked for patience with his new forward players. Clement says they need time to settle, just like Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn who has emerged this term as one of the Hoops’ top players.
The manager said: “I want us to score more goals – that’s a major one. We don’t concede much but we have to score more goals and be more lethal in the final third.
“You always want to be better but in the last couple of weeks we’ve had a lot of good chances that were saved. But we also have a lot of new players in that area also.
“So we need to find connections. I don’t want to make comparisons with other teams. But the offensive player on the other side of town (Kuhn) six months ago or last season wasn’t starting there.
“He needed time after his transfer to get rhythm with other players. We’re working on that with our guys
“It’s about small details, getting confidence and goals. We’re creating more and more chances and that’s the way it has to continue.”
Rangers now have second-placed Aberdeen in their sights and a win over Killie could move them closer to the Dons who play Celtic. But Clement says he’s only focused on his own team.
He said: “It’s not about closing down (the gap). It’s about taking points ourselves. We’re focused on ourselves, not what others are doing. We don’t control that. What we need to control is not throwing away points like we did against Dundee United recently.”