It’s been all doom and gloom surrounding Rangers since defeat to Kilmarnock on Sunday and the fans are crying out for a real lift as they get set for Europa League action under the lights at Ibrox.
The supporters have made it clear they want to see change from Philippe Clement to his starting team after yet another flat display at Rugby Park. Those who made the trip, and the armchair fans at home, are deflated and are in real need of something different. Steaua Bucharest are the opponents who arrive in Govan tonight with the Gers faithful expecting a night and day display from what was on show in Ayrshire.
But one thing that is clear is the same old from the Belgian boss won’t cut it any more. The issue that may come to play is just where does he have the option to change. Cyriel Dessers has been leading the line for the majority of Clement’s year as boss with Danilo spending extended time out on the sidelines and summer recruit Hamza Igamane raw and unpredictable. Other players like skipper James Tavernier have felt the blast from the stands for underperforming and not reaching the expected levels of their team.
The long running saga involving Ianis Hagi is also now over and he is back in the first team fold. But he is NOT part of the European group and can’t be until the latter stages.
Ahead of the Europa League outing tonight, Rangers fans have been discussing online the team they would LOVE to take to the field at Ibrox – but in the same breathe they are confident that Clement will NOT change from his Plan A.
Rangers fans’ XI to face Steaua
Philippe Clement’s likely Rangers XI to face Steaua
Speaking ahead of the Ibrox showdown, Clement told the media: “It is about creating consistency again, creating momentum with the results and to create stability. Everybody must work hard to get that in the next weeks and months to come.
“We are going to keep on working hard to make things better as fast as possible, that I can give to the fans. People who are not happy now, I understand, I totally understand.”
He added: “We are focused on ourselves, to play our game and then we will see what team they come with, but it is about us. It is always important to win the next game, that is what this club is about, so we are really hungry for the game and looking forward to tomorrow.
“We talked about it after the Kilmarnock game that nobody was happy with the level of performance and for sure with the result so then you need to switch your mindset and look forward. You want to react as fast as possible, that is what is going on in the dressing room.
“You want the next game to come and to win that one, that is what football is about. You need to enjoy the good moments, but not too much because a few days later there is another game and you need to be ready again, and in the difficult moments you need to switch fast and react in a good way so that is what I expect from tomorrow.”