It didn’t take Patrick Stewart long to join Philippe Clement in the bad books with the Rangers support.
Less than a day after his first public address as Ibrox CEO the former Manchester United chief was in the firing line for what he had to say. Namely his backing – for now – of the manager. Rangers fans are preparing to protest against Clement and the board at Ibrox this afternoon. And Jamie Thompson, Yoker, said: “Patrick Stewart’s support of Clement just confirms that there is something seriously wrong at Ibrox.
“We have a manager that is a complete failure and has done nothing but take his salary and talks utter rubbish. The Rangers supporters should continue to walk out until Clement is gone. I would like to know what all the investors think who have put their money into Rangers for the last 10 years? Rangers supporters have been put through hell Murray, Whyte, Green, now this board. Utter disgrace.”
Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, added: “Stewart defending Clement is utterly shameful with Rangers’ league season gone. History will condemn Stewart as urgent action was immediately needed to remove a dire Clement but Stewart had no stomach for the fight as wily old Phil pulled out his ace in the hole – a four-year contract. He knew well before Dundee that he was 200 per cent safe that’s why he said it.”
Jimmy Mac, Glasgow, said: “Clement has overstayed his welcome, he is a patter merchant full of excuses for his own and selection failures. Rangers have provided Clement more than enough rope to hang himself as a failed manager thrice over and remember Beale and van Bronckhorst were sacked for a fraction of Clement’s failures with the latter taking Rangers to a Europa League final.
“Eleven points from a possible 33 points on the road is absolutely disgraceful under any manager and proves Clement is not and never has been fit for purpose.” Frank Jackson emailed: “I listened to Stewart’s interview and got the impression he has been taking lessons from the Belgium waffle.”
But Martin Muir, Saltcoats, had a warning for those fans staging a walk out as he countered: “After 55 we wanted change because of lack of investment – how many players management, training staff and directors are still at the club? By leaving your seat you are only upsetting the players instead of supporting them the way we all did at recent Old Firm game.
“I have never watched a chief ex or a director score a goal or save a penalty. We wanted change but it takes time. Directors have only been in the place a few weeks so get behind the players and stay in your seats.”
Nick Boyle, New York City, said: “Clement is not the problem. Neither is the Rangers board. The problem is the Rangers fans’ unrealistic expectations. They came within a whisker of winning a cup. They beat their biggest rivals, comprehensively. They’re performing at a level at or better than anyone rational would expect.
“There is another Scottish team that has more trophies, more money in the bank, a bigger stadium, a more expensive squad. Unless you believe, mistakenly, that Rangers have some divine right to be number one, there is no reason to expect that they would be doing significantly better than they are.”
And John Higgins emailed: “Why is nearly everyone calling for Clement to lose his job he can only play the cards he’s been dealt without aces not many of them can be trusted to turn a game around. But he always makes excuses for his players, he should hang on to his present squad and give them a chance to redeem themselves next season.”
Meanwhile, Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, reckons the problems don’t all lie at Ibrox. He said: “It’s clear and obvious away travel over the festive period is a lot harder than normal away travel. Can anyone please answer why since December 26 Rangers have been given a distinct disadvantage in the league having been forced to play four of their five league games away from home whilst Celtic have had the advantage of playing four of their five league matches at home? Coincidentally Celtic got their biggest gubbing away from home for many years which confirms the fact.”
Over to Celtic and Brendan Rodgers took a pop at the congested fixture list before his injury-hit side took care of Ross County in the Highlands on Saturday. Jim Docherty emailed : “As a Celtic fan I must agree with Rodgers as there are too many matches being played and players are not robots. It is not just in Scotland but nationwide as the Nations League qualifying matches have meant cancellations on a number of weekends. FIFA and UEFA need to get real.”
And James Robertson, Alabama, said: “I’ll say this about Ross County, they don’t roll over for anyone. Celtic rolled into Dingwall and the Stags put up a fight to the very end. But this should not be a surprise as Celtic gets everyone’s best shot. A hard earned win in the Highlands.”
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