Philippe Clement says he was RIGHT to hook youngster Bailey Rice at half-time in their Scottish Cup defeat to Queen’s Park.
The Belgian boss has faced criticism for starting the teenager at Ibrox last Sunday – only to sub him off for Nico Raskin at 0-0. Clement’s side went on to suffer one of the worst results in the club’s history as the Spiders won 1-0. But the Gers gaffer insists no-one has to worry about the Rice’s welfare after featuring for just 45 minutes.
He says the 18-year-old didn’t show his true quality against the Championship outfit. But he’s told supporters that he still has total faith that he’ll become an Ibrox star of the future. Clement said: “Of course, I spoke with Bailey. I know there was concern about him being taken off at half-time and the effect it might have on him. But there’s no reason to have doubts about that.
“We had individual meetings with all the players, including Bailey. He was the first one not happy with his first half. But that’s normal.
“He’s 18, it was his first start at Ibrox and he’s a lifelong fan of the club. So there was a certain tension around it.
“Bailey played an OK game but the specific quality he has that will make him a top player – he didn’t use it in this game. That’s his really good passing forward to break lines. But he’s a player I really believe in. I don’t give easy chances to 18-year-olds in big games. Bailey feels my confidence in him and it was interesting in our meeting to see how he reacted in that situation.
“He’s very mature and understanding of what he did wrong because he saw it himself. He’ll learn from it and it will be a good experience for him in the end. He’s motivated and hungry. It will make him better, there’s no doubt about that.”