I feel the same way about Rangers fans as everyone else does. As I’ve stated numerous times in this column, I count myself among them.
And to be honest, they looked the part on Wednesday night at Dens Park when they opened the game against Dundee with a well-executed pyrotechnic display. But when the fire alarms went off and the police told both teams to leave the pitch, it all looked like it was going to backfire even more spectacularly on the team and on manager Philippe Clement.
That’s the reason I hope Clement’s plea for the supporters to put the pyro away for the time being and concentrate solely on showing their support and passion for the players was heard. Unfortunately, regardless of how amazing it may appear to the rest of us, the risk to health and safety cannot be disregarded. Additionally, the guys in charge of organising this stuff should realise that they need to follow the rules going forward after hearing what the manager had to say about it.
Since these things are dangerous even in the best of circumstances, let alone in confined spaces with thousands of people nearby, this is the most crucial aspect of it all, in my opinion. We would hate to witness someone suffering serious injuries at the hands of one of them. even worse. However, I don’t believe for a second that these fans drove all the way up the street the other night with the intention of causing trouble for the police or endangering other fans. They performed it to show off their unity as a team and to put on a show. It was their method of expressing that there is now a gap between the supporters in the stands and the players on the pitch.
To be honest, I have never witnessed the environment surrounding Ibrox become as poisonous as it did in the latter stages of Michael Beale’s tenure. The same thing was being said to me by friends of mine who have supported the team their entire lives.
And there was a moment, following the home loss to Aberdeen, when I feared that the damage had been done and that there was no way to mend it and get the support back on track. Despite the fact that Wednesday night’s fireworks were misguided, the message they conveyed was unambiguous and encouraging: Clement has restored the relationship, and the Rangers will be the stronger as a result.
The Belgian is still in his form, so it’s crucial to keep your expectations in check after just four games. However, similar to me, these advocates have observed some highly positive indications.
I doubt there has been a significant shift in the kind of play he is attempting to use. They haven’t suddenly become Real Madrid, after all. However, before attempting to make that kind of progress in terms of how he wants his team to perform, it does seem as though he is going back to the fundamentals.
It’s all very basic. This group of players is more dedicated and has greater energy. Under Clement, I’m noticing a different side of them.
For instance, there would be a strong desire to go retrieve the ball if someone was driving forward with it and misplaced a pass. I’m liking the difference that it has made because they are hunting in packs now, instead of alone, as if they are all in this together.
I watch the manager’s demeanour off the pitch and how he interacts with his players when they are on and off the pitch. He almost has a sentimental approach with them, which makes me think of Jurgen Klopp’s methods at Liverpool. When a manager gives players five or ten seconds of his time, I believe the players learn a lot from that type of interaction, which is why I love to watch it.
Perhaps even more crucially, the fans take note of these things as well and respond to them in a way that unites everyone. I’d even venture to suggest that Clement is most likely acting on purpose because, even before starting the job, he recognised the importance of getting everyone back together.
You’ve heard how often he’s talked about it, and he’s making a lot of effort to restore the emotional bond between the supporters and the team. Once more, it’s a signal to get back to the fundamentals and establish a strong foundation before adding to it.
On the pitch, where players are obviously told what is expected of them, it is the same. They won’t be allowed to join his squad if they aren’t strong or fit enough.
Although there hasn’t been much of a shift in style, they are moving the ball faster—taking two or three touches—and they don’t mind occasionally throwing in a long ball to spice things up. Additionally, it appears that the players fully comprehend their roles both in and out of possession, which I doubt was the case under the previous manager.
All of which suggests to me that a great deal of effort has already been done, and I appreciate how Clement has adapted to his new role. Though he doesn’t reveal much, he gives off the idea that he’s not someone you should get too close to. When the team bus arrived late on Wednesday and the game eventually started, the police had to tell both sets of players to return inside, which put him in an awkward situation.
However, he appeared to accept everything. Despite the mayhem that was going on all around them, he certainly managed to keep the players focused. He has a really soothing appearance. That’s a significant tick off the Belgian’s box.
Subsequently, when you witness Sam Lammers scoring a brilliant goal and big Cyriel Dessers scoring his own goal after coming off the bench, you begin to question whether these guys could finally start to thrive in a less toxic and more positive environment.
Since these guys have been through a lot since the beginning of the season, it was wonderful to see that every single one of their teammates joined them in celebrating.
Everything contributes to this sense of cohesion and oneness. Indeed, when the fans lit the place on fire the other night, they might have gone a little too far. However, my former club’s heart is once again in the right place. And the wait has been long.
