Neil McCann swerved an ‘aggressive question’ over Philippe Clement‘s future – but reckons new CEO Patrick Stewart has done just enough to keep the wolves at bay for now.
It was a day of mixed emotions at Rangers as Clement picked up a much-needed 3-1 win over St Johnstone, but the football was only half the story. The post-match headlines were instead dominated by the Union Bears‘ controversial walkout on 55 minutes, which split the Ibrox support with boos and jeers heard as the entire ultras section emptied.
It came after new CEO Stewart called a hastily-arranged press conference during the week in which he threw his support behind Clement, but stressed that results needed to improve. That was taken as a reaction to the fan fury which saw both the Union Bears and the Rangers Supporters’ Society put out scathing statements demanding change.
Speaking on BBC Sportscene, host Jonathan Sutherland noted the noisy fan group who staged the walkout had ‘vented their spleen.’ He then put the question to McCann over whether the visible protest surprised him. And McCann, who won three league titles as a player at Ibrox, said: “It didn’t surprise me. I think Patrick Stewart has had a big job on his hands. He was straightforward and said he’s giving the manager his backing but results need to improve. That’s obvious.
“If you’re reading between the lines, the statement carries enough… ‘Threat’ isn’t the word, but it’s a message to the fans that he’s said to the manager ‘the away form needs to pick up, the results need to be better, the consistency needs to be better.’ Otherwise, Philippe Clement will lose his job.”
Sutherland then pressed McCann on whether Clement will see out the season as Rangers boss. And the pundit replied: “The question is an aggressive one, Jonathan. I’m not going to answer it as a yes or a no. But he is under enormous pressure, and if he doesn’t get the results, Rangers will make the decision.”