Former Celtic striker turned pundit Chris Sutton thinks Philippe Clement has to beat the Hoops on January 2, or his time at Rangers will be over.
After Sunday’s enthralling Premier Sports Cup final, the Belgian has now failed to get the better of Brendan Rodgers in six attempts.
Pressure is mounting on Clement, who really needs a Glasgow derby result to galvanise both himself and the Rangers supporters.
Celtic boss Rodgers, however, is an expert in facing the Ibrox club: he has lost just once in 20 games against them.
While there are a few league matches for each side to contest before January 2, all eyes are slowly but surely turning towards the New Year derby.
Currently trailing the Celts by 11 points, Rangers need a victory, and Sutton thinks if they don’t get one, Clement’s time is up: “Rangers now are under pressure,” he said (‘It’s All Kicking Off!‘ Podcast via RecordSport).
“You look at the league table and 11 points the gap. They play each other on January 2, which is huge; it’s at Ibrox.
“Philippe Clement can’t keep losing to Brendan Rodgers. If he loses that one, I really think it will be the end of the road for him.”
The pressure is right on Clement to pick up a result in a few weeks.
He’s only faced Celtic at Ibrox once: the ‘moral victory’ 3-3 draw. His side rescued a point thanks to a late leveller that day.
The Bhoys know that victory in Govan would send them 14 clear at the top of the Premiership, a position many would likely describe as unsalvageable for the Gers.
