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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Clement cites Rangers 'fake news' in Tavernier & Goldson transfer response

Philippe Clement cited "fake news" as he offered a firm response to speculation surrounding a Rangers transfer exit for James Tavernier and Connor Goldson.

The Ibrox manager was quizzed on the future of the pair during the pre-season trip to the Netherlands as rumours persist over a possible move away from Glasgow.

Tavernier - who hasn't featured in any friendly matches yet - has been touted for a switch to Saudi Arabia with Goldson heavily linked with Birmingham in recent weeks.

But Clement insisted the speculation over exits is "fake news" before admitting Rangers would discuss a deal with clubs should interest arise and the financial side prove worthwhile.

“There is a lot of speculation in Glasgow and I have read a lot of things that you say are totally not true, said Clement when asked about Tavernier and Goldson's futures at the club.

“Fake news. But it is part of being in Glasgow. You cannot react to every fake news because then you’ll only be busy with that.

“What I see is that they brought a lot to the club the last couple of years. That they did really good games with me. They also did games where it was less, like all the team.

“For me they maybe played too much last season or the last couple of years because if you play 60 games nobody is every time at his top shape. They have done all of that for the club, they worked really hard for that.

“They are not going to play 60 games the season to come now and all the speculation around them is the same speculation that you can have around every player. It is the same for us.

“If there is somebody coming with the right amount of money we will see, we will discuss. But you always need to see and then you need to replace somebody and you need enough money to replace them to make it better, otherwise it is also of no use. It is finding a balance in that way.

“I think there is only one player that is irreplaceable at the moment that I don’t think a team will pay the money that he is worth, for sure, and that is Jack Butland. Everybody knows what I think about that.”


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Clement went on to insist every player in the Netherlands with the Rangers squad is part of his plans as he set out his stall on Jack Butland, who he is determined to keep unless at bid upwards of £30m is received.

He said: “Everybody who is here is part of my plans. It is like that. Otherwise they would not be here.

"That is the thing with fans, I think it changed with having the PlayStation or Football Manager and you can say ‘this player I don’t like he needs to be out’.

“It doesn’t work that way. These guys have contracts. I don’t speak now about Connor and Tav, it is just in general, all over the world it doesn’t work that way.

“You always need to be with two parties. Every player falls into that category. Only Jack. If somebody comes with £30million or £40million you can replace him for that money.

“Every player falls into that category. We need money to replace him. If it is a good amount you can replace him and do something else. We will see.”

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