Philippe Clement has pointed the finger at Rangers’ boardroom impatience for his Ibrox downfall, claiming he could have closed the gap on Celtic had he been given more time.
The Belgian’s comments come after a season where the Hoops once again finished top of the table, having claimed 14 of the last 15 league titles, along with yet another domestic double.
Clement’s time at Rangers had very little in terms of silverware, with his side falling short in both the League Cup and Scottish Cup finals — both lost to Celtic. While he did finally get a derby win in his final attempt, the title was already out of reach by then, making it meaningless in the grand picture.
Despite failing to land a glove when it mattered most, Clement has now suggested that a longer stay could have produced better results. His comments appear to gloss over Rangers’ continued inability to match Celtic’s consistency and mental resilience when trophies are on the line.
His comments will raise eyebrows among Celtic supporters, especially given the nature of his side’s performances in Glasgow Derbies. When the season was still alive, Brendan Rodgers’ men simply had Rangers’ number, winning the matches that counted, and lifting the Scottish Cup and League Cup.
The Belgian also went further, insisting a proper run of transfer windows would have allowed him to chip away at Celtic’s superiority.
He said: (BBC Sport), “I think it was a vital game. “If we had won, there would have been more patience with the fans also, and the board could have stayed much calmer.
“It’s a pity that the story stopped, that the board didn’t have the patience, or maybe listened too much to some fans.
“There are other clubs, where there is a difficult moment and everybody sticks together because everybody knows the story, how the work is done inside the building, and they continue and they are successful afterwards.
“In three or four windows, we could have closed the gap [to Celtic] with a good development of players, but the decision is made and you need to accept it.”
Celtic’s response to pressure, in contrast, has been nothing short of remarkable for the most. Brendan Rodgers’ side delivered again this season, winning derbies that actually mattered, and stepping up on the biggest occasions. The League Cup was secured early, and when the Premiership was on the line, Celtic didn’t blink.
The idea that Clement could’ve changed fortunes over multiple transfer windows doesn’t quite match with the facts. In key games against Celtic, Rangers looked second best tactically and mentally, particularly at Hampden, where the Hoops lifted both domestic cups.
Celtic’s recruitment model, stability in the dugout, and clear style of play continue to set them apart. While Clement talks about “development”, Celtic deliver silverware, and the gap he speaks of remains wide, regardless of hypotheticals.
In the end, Clement’s comments might bring some comfort to Rangers fans, but the reality is clear. Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic don’t just win games, they win when it matters most. Clement had his chance, and Celtic made sure he came away with nothing.
