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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Robbie Hanratty

Tensions rise: Pundit weighs in on Clement's Rangers future after Union Bears protest

Neil McCann skilfully navigated a challenging question regarding Philippe Clement's Rangers future, while suggesting that new chief executive Patrick Stewart has a huge job on his hands to quell rising tensions among supporters.

Rangers experienced a rollercoaster of emotions as Clement secured a crucial 3-1 home victory against St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.

However, the match was ultimately overshadowed by the Union Bears' controversial walkout in the 55th minute, which sparked a mix of boos and applause from the Ibrox crowd.

This protest was directed at the Rangers board, highlighting a deep divide between fans and those running the club.

Earlier in the week, Stewart had convened a press conference to express his backing for Clement, while also stressing the need for improved results, with Rangers sitting 15 points behind Celtic in the league standings.

His statements came in response to mounting fan discontent, as both the Union Bears and the Rangers Supporters' Society issued pointed criticisms demanding significant changes within the club.

There were banners and angry chanting before the Union Bears departed the ground, and McCann admits that he wasn't surprised by the way some punters acted.

(Image: PA)


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"It didn't surprise me," the former Rangers star told BBC Sportscene when asked about the current problems coming to fruition. 

"I think Patrick Stewart has had a big job on his hands. He was straightforward and said he's giving the manager his backing but results need to improve. That's obvious.

"If you're reading between the lines, the statement carries enough... 'Threat' isn't the word, but it's a message to the fans that he's said to the manager 'the away form needs to pick up, the results need to be better, the consistency needs to be better.' Otherwise, Philippe Clement will lose his job."

On Rangers' overall performance, McCann went on to say: "The second half was a massive drop off. Philippe Clement as asked the question about the fans leaving at 55 minutes, what is your reaction to that? He says 'well, we've got to keep them in the building. 

"Well on 54 minutes, St Johnstone scored so it's not going to keep them in the building. Simo Valakari, as poor as St Johnstone were in the first half, is probably saying to his team, go out and win the second half, and they've done that. 

"So, the real disappointment is that Rangers haven't done anything of note in the second half. St Johnstone will take a lot of confidence. I think young Mackenzie Kirk actually had a really good game today in difficult circumstances. He was bright spark." 

The analysis couldn't end before McCann being asked by host Jonathan Sutherland whether Clement will still be in the Rangers dugout come the summer. 

He replied: "The question is an aggressive one, Jonathan. I'm not going to answer it as a yes or a no. But he is under enormous pressure, and if he doesn't get the results, Rangers will make the decision."

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