As Rangers prepare for their next Scottish Premiership clash against Dundee, manager Philippe Clement couldn’t resist the urge to bring up Celtic—once again.
In a conversation ostensibly about his own squad depth, Clement took the opportunity to compare Rangers’ resources to their “city rivals” as he calls us, not Celtic.
When asked about his team’s squad depth, Clement remarked: [Clyde SSB]
“Look at our rivals in this city. Look at how many players they changed. They spent £30million in the summer on players who are not all the time in the starting XI. We don’t have the same chequebook in that way.”
However, there’s just one glaring issue with Clement’s claims: Celtic actually posted a net transfer profit this summer.
Celtic have been an example of intelligent player trading, combining shrewd scouting, good player development, and timely reinvestment. Here’s a quick reality check:
The club sold Matt O’Riley for £30 million, which alone covered all their transfer expenditures. Additionally, the sales of players like Bosun Lawal and Mikey Johnston brought in another £7.5 million, further boosting their transfer profits.
In stark contrast, Rangers struggled in the transfer market, offloading Todd Cantwell, Sam Lammers, Connor Goldson, Scott Wright, and Robby McCrorie for a combined total of just £1 million.
Celtic are also set to recoup their investment in Alexandro Bernabei, who looks likely to depart soon.
Celtic’s success is no accident. The club has built a self-sustaining model that allows them to sell players for big fees and reinvest that money into improving the squad.
Clement’s comments inadvertently highlight the issues at Rangers. The Ibrox club has struggled to get significant fees for their players, leaving them with fewer resources to rebuild. Spending money wisely, rather than simply having a “chequebook,” is what sets Celtic apart.
Clement’s focus on Celtic feels like an attempt to deflect from Rangers’ shortcomings. Celtic’s success on and off the pitch clearly looms large over Ibrox, and these constant references only reinforce how far ahead Brendan Rodgers’ side is in every aspect.
Rather than using Celtic’s financial and sporting superiority as a crutch, perhaps Rangers’ boss should focus on making the most of his resources. Until then, it’s clear that Celtic’s business model and dominance are living rent-free in Clement’s mind.
