Chris Sutton has warned Philippe Clement that things could get ugly at Ibrox if he STILL can’t beat Celtic and that this could be his last dance at Ibrox.
The Rangers boss is going into the Old Firm derby in the midst of an injury crisis with goalkeeper Jack Butland and captain James Tavernier joining John Souttar and Leon Balogun on the treatment table. His defence is likely to the definition of makeshift and punters are faring a Celtic pile on.
Brendan Rodgers‘ men running up the scoreboard could prove to the final straw after a Boxing Day defeat at St Mirren and last weekend’s get out jail act away to Motherwell that could and probably should have been far worse than the 2-2 draw the Light Blues managed to rescue. With a Premier Sports Cup Final defeat still fresh in the minds. Sutton reckons the Belgian could be toast if the Hoops turn up and turn it on.
‘Let’s get it right, this could be Philippe Clement’s last dance as Rangers manager today. I suspect things could get ugly if they lose,” Sutton warned. “Look, it’s the depleted Rangers going into the game. They’ve barely a defender fit, Jack Butland’s missing and it will be backs to the wall. They’ve got to come out with a ferocious display and just hope that Celtic aren’t at their best today.”
“It’s a 14 point gap, could be a 17 point gap. It can’t keep being a project at Rangers, going through a transitional period. Maybe Europa has saved him as performances there have been good, but losing the Cup Final to Celtic when Celtic weren’t at their best, it was important for him to get a trophy in the bag. He didn’t do that so the pressure is building. Essentially it will be the Rangers supporters who will get Philippe Clement out if their team get dispatched today on their own patch, but their biggest rivals. Then I suspect it could be curtains.”
By contrast, Rodgers has Rangers’ number and while Sutton hasn’t seen prime Celtic over the last couple of months, he believes his former club will be at it and fully expects them to be evern further ahead of their rivals come 5pm. He told Sky Sports: “Brendan Rodgers’ record in this fixture is ridiculous. I think he’s lost something like one in 20 against Rangers and Philippe Clement still hasn’t beaten him. It’s that mentality.
“I don’t think Celtic have been at their absolute best over the last six weeks or two months but they’ve found a way to win games. They’ve played in patches and eventually they will hit form. We all think they’re going to hit form again and people are talking about the title race being over from Celtic’s perspective.
“It’s just about that focus and mentality. They’ll come here today and make that gap even bigger.”