When Philippe Clement arrived in Glasgow he'd have been surprised to hear that such is the interest in his new club, even a visit to a local restaurant would be a newsworthy event. His meal at Caprese Don Costanzo in Glasgow's West End will seem bland sauce to many, but it didn't stop the tabloids from excitedly publishing a picture, much to the manager's bemusement.
It's a testament to what he calls the "noise" that accompanies Rangers, where any employee immediately becomes a major celebrity and topic of hot debate within the city. It's a distraction the Belgian wants his players to shut out ahead of their Viaplay League Cup Final clash with Aberdeen.
"I don’t want my players busy with noise or perception," he said. “That’s the job of journalists, and it’s important because it’s part of our business and it’s why supporters football — they have discussions about why one player is good and one is bad. But I want my players to stay away from the noise.
"They have to believe in themselves and give everything. I don’t think there’s anyone who is at their best every day. People can have a bad day or bad luck—with players it is the same. I want players who go full out every time and without fear. If they make a mistake they should react directly in a positive way and with confidence."
While noise can be minimised, the crushing pressure of achieving Rangers' historic standards will always remain. Clement's team has built up a lot of steam, unbeaten in his reign so far and that's led to the bond between players and fans being renewed after the turmoil that accompanied the end of the Beale era. It's put to the manager that defeat tomorrow could damage that connection, something he strongly refutes.
“No, that’s not true," he asserted. "Short-term yes maybe, but whatever happens, it’s not decisive for the rest of the season. Some people try to say this game is decisive for the season. No. Two months ago the synergy with the fans was not good. It was exceptional in Seville.
“The players won some credit along the way and they deserve it for what they’ve been doing. I can guarantee all the supporters that they are working hard every day to get results. I am convinced that we are making a story where there will be an exception along the way, I hope it is not tomorrow but we’re going to go full to get more credit. Winning the trophy after so many years would give a lot of credit.
“For me, I know what I’m doing with the team and I know what it will be long-term. I know we are going to win trophies with the club. That I know. I don’t have any doubt about that but it’s not a guarantee for tomorrow, that’s something else."
With injuries decimating Clement's options, it's certain he will turn to Nigerian striker Cyriel Dessers to lead the line against Barry Robson's side. Despite a slow start to his Rangers career, a wonderful goal in the 3-2 win over Betis and solid all-round performance mean he goes into the final in high spirits. Dessers has talked to the media in the past about the negative effect of criticism on his confidence but surely he will be heading into this tie with a spring in his step?
"That’s what I expect and if it’s not the case it is my job to change it again," he said. "And to talk with him about that. I don’t have the control of the minds of all my players for 24 hours, and seven days a week. I would love to have that; it would help my job a lot if I had that. But it’s not the case, they are human beings and there are things happening in their lives around them.
"I want them to learn that they don’t need to be busy with all those things, they need to be busy with themselves, and getting the best out of themselves. And they need to be busy with the team. And to be a team. And in that way I am most satisfied with the last couple of weeks because I see how everybody who is here in the building is involved…players, no players, the staff around. With that then you are creating and team and when you create that team you always get success afterwards.
"We need to go on but there will be mistakes and there will be players who play a bad game. I see the best players in the world sometimes play a bad game. They are human beings but we need them, as fast as possible, to get their best level. Or to change them for a player in that moment who comes in and makes a difference. Those are my choices."
These choices have been limited of late of course, such is the Ibrox injury situation and it's something that clearly rankles Clement. Asked if he was satisfied his new individual training methods have improved things, he added: "No, I am totally not satisfied at this moment.
"By far - see the list of the players that are unavailable. It's something that I don’t want to talk about now but in a few weeks I want to because it is not a normal situation."
