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

Rangers boss Philippe Clement sets out hardline stance on 'very dangerous' tackles

Philippe Clement does not give the impression of being a manager to accept the unacceptable. And that goes for matters in the opposition and within his own playing squad.

The Rangers manager admitted he was left "boiling" after a tackle on John Lundstram in the 2-0 win over St Johnstone - with Diallang Jaiyesimi sent off after a VAR review of the challenge.

It was a rare admission of showing slight emotion on the touchline for Clement but he has explained his hardline approach on "very dangerous" tackles goes both ways.

Also highlighting a tackle on Kieran Dowell, Clement insisted dangerous challenges have no place in the game worldwide as he refused to tar the Scottish game solely with tackling troubles.

"I don’t see a difference with France, with Belgium or with the Premier League," said Clement.

"I said something after that game and I said also that I was boiling because everyone has seen the tackle on John. It is a red card and the red card is given. You are not happy that one of your players is kicked off the field.

"I said also after the game that Kieran Dowell was really lucky. I don’t know if you guys looked back at that image that was even worse than the red card on Lundstram. So it was about that and for the rest of the game, nothing to say about crazy tackles or crazy things that happened on the pitch.

"I don’t want to say that Motherwell or another team or Scottish league is more brutal or whatever.

"But the action with Kieran Dowell I saw after the game and can be sure. I saw it from the bench already but when I see it afterwards, it is a very dangerous tackle. If his foot is on the ground his leg is broken. That I want to avoid.

"I want to avoid that with my players, I think every manager wants avoid that with his players also. If I see a tackle like that on my team, that player is in trouble also.

"I don’t want to see these tackles and I think everybody who loves football doesn’t want to see it."

Already stretched by injury problems in midfield, Clement was disappointed to see Lundstram forced off as a result of the red card tackle. And so too was the manager gutted to lose Kemar Roofe to another cruel injury setback.

Both players will miss the match against Motherwell on Christmas Eve and there will be no returning players for the fixture.

"Both are not available for Sunday," said Clement of Roofe and Lundstram. "To say how long is difficult for the moment. It is quite early after this game.

"We need to analyse the scans and get the results and those things so we cannot say much more for now.

"I always have hope [it won't be long-term] but I need to get the results from the scans. There is nothing more to say for the moment."

On another setback for Roofe, Clement added: "The most disappointing is for him, because he’s doing everything to avoid it. He felt really good and we’re not assessing what the reason is and looking deeply into detail.

"We want to find solutions for him. Everybody is really disappointed for him because it’s the worst thing for him.

"It was a big blow because he’s so hungry to come in and get his minutes. It was the moment to start he was waiting for. I understand why he was disappointed because I also had moments like that in my career. It feels like the sky has dropped on your head at that moment so now we will look for solutions."

Managing a bustling physio room has been one of the difficult tasks faced by Clement so far as Rangers manager, and he insists his family feel around the club keeps crocked stars involved - even if it means they too will be in training on Christmas Day.

"They’re always in the meetings so I want them involved that way. They understand what we’re doing right and wrong, they’re not six weeks out then they step back in.

"They have the same importance to me. Whether they start, or not playing, or are injured, we’re one family together. We win and lose together and players who are important now may not be in a few months if they’re injured, and others who are injured now can be very important in a few weeks. It’s about doing the maximum to get the best results together."

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