Can Rangers afford to stand by Philippe Clement any longer or is it time for the axe to fall?

Andy Newport:Rangers are caught in a sticky position where they are desperate to escape the cycle of hiring-and-firing coaches yet find it intolerable working under a boss who is toiling to get a result on the road. One of those things has to give…

Michael Gannon: It’s gone way beyond that stage now. It was always going to be a tough ask to keep up with Celtic this season but Clement is massively underperforming against the rest. It’s not good enough and there are no signs of progress. Big decisions are required.

Fraser Wilson: It’s reached a stage where the league results can’t be defended. Clement has had one hand tied behind his back with the squad overhaul and injuries but should still be performing far better. The problem is it will be costly and history has shown there’s no guarantee of an improvement just because a manager gets sacked.

No matter who’s been in charge, Rangers have failed to get closer to Celtic in the last four years. How do they change that?

Andy: It all starts with recruitment. Gers have to unearth promising gems like Hamza Igamane and waste less cash on expensive flops like Cyriel Dessers. That will get them closer to Celtic on the park and help bridge the financial gap off it if they can sell them on for a profit.

Michael: It’s hugely difficult with the gulf in finances. Celtic’s squad is far stronger and it’s been shown in this hectic period. Rangers need a complete revamp. They need better recruitment and shrewder management.

Fraser: You get the impression the change in approach has already started with Clement having been told to reduce the age and profile of his squad. Young assets like Igamane and Diomande could net Rangers big fees in the coming years and then that money can be reinvested in the squad. But you still need to be much closer to Celtic in the meantime.

Rangers Manager Philippe Clement and assistant Stephan van der Heyden

The title is as good as won but should Celtic still strengthen this month – and what area should Brendan Rodgers prioritise?

Andy: Of course. With the title in the bag they can now put full focus on the Champions League. There’s an opportunity here for Celtic to break new ground in the modern edition of the tournament. But they need to tool up for the knock-out stages.

Michael: There are not too many urgent issues to address but he could do with another wide player with Luis Palma on his way out.

Fraser: Who was it spoke about fixing roofs when the sun is shining? Anyway, the obvious answer is yes. Celtic won’t stand still especially when there’s gains to be made in Europe. Another wide man and perhaps a central defender just to bolster options wouldn’t go wrong in case injuries hit.

St Johnstone look doomed, eight points adrift at the bottom. Is their 16-year stay in the top flight coming to an end?

Andy: It’s been heading that way for a while now. It might not be the worst thing to happen to the Perth club now. Saints have gone stale and a stint in the Championship might offer space to grow in a different direction under Simo Valakari.

Michael: It doesn’t look great but it will depend on what business is done this month. The defence badly needs shoring up for starters, but Saints do have goals in them, which gives them some hope.

Fraser: It’s too big a gap to bridge and even if results pick up I reckon those teams above them will also pull away. Saints are thankfully in a healthy state off the park and if they did go down I’d back them to come back up – but whether Simo Valakari is the man is up for debate.

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