GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JULY 18: A general view during the pre-season friendly match between Rangers and Newcastle at Ibrox Stadium on July 18, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
The manager was not going to look at Glasgow’s east end; he was going to keep his attention on his own team.
Concentrated Now that the top of the table is within reach for the Rangers, Philippe Clement is adamant that he won’t let them falter.
Due to their error at Pittodrie, Celtic can easily win the Premiership when they play Aberdeen on Tuesday. They will need to replicate their three-goal victory over Davie Martindale’s lackluster Livi from yesterday in order to accomplish that. Though Clement is ready for further injury woes after witnessing Leon Balogun leave the game with what appears to be a facial fracture, he is aware that the title race is still far from over.
Furthermore, he’s resolved to keep Gers’ attention solely on the goal. When asked if he had followed the happenings in Granite City at lunch before his team left for their 3 p.m. kickoff, the large Belgian replied, “No.” In football, it’s critical to put your own needs first. The final two or three games of the season are when we can examine the ranking; the earlier games are not.
“We should be preoccupied with ourselves rather than with what other people are doing. Every player is occupied with that. The teams that played before us and their outcomes are no longer relevant. We only give ourselves attention.
“Where we are right now or on Wednesday doesn’t matter. By the end of May, where we are is crucial.That’s the good part about being a fan, though, so yeah [I can see why the fans are starting to believe]. The life of a player is very different.
“We are aware that total focus is necessary for us to perform our duties. You begin to lose things yourself if you begin to think about other people.
As a team, we will not let ourselves go into that trap. In that regard, I am also pleased with the squad because throughout the week, I don’t hear the name of any other teams. Everyone has Rangers on their minds, not their own egos but the team as a whole.
“The dressing room now has a really strong sense of teamwork, and I’m going to enforce strict rules to keep it that way. We see outcomes because of this. We can lose that the moment we begin to think about other people.
When Clement took over for Michael Beale in September, the team was seven points behind Celtic. However, in the 15 games since his appointment, they have only lost four, and the Viaplay Cup champions are now very much in the running for a second trophy of the year.
Furthermore, Clement believes his team will only get stronger after witnessing goals from Todd Cantwell, Rabbi Matondo, and Fabio Silva destroy Livi. He declared, “I’m happy with what I saw today.” “I witness the team’s growth both weekly and monthly.
The players are beginning to comprehend running technique, timing, coordination, reaction to losing the ball, and attacking and defensive organization increasingly well. I’ve observed three excellent goals. More and more, I’m able to imagine myself playing football.
Although we haven’t reached 100% yet, this is typical. After the game, I informed the players that, in comparison to most other teams, we were where we are now after nine or twelve months. That is indeed a good thing.
Additionally, there is this amazing fan synergy. For a football player or manager, it is a thrill to play in such an environment. We want to keep going that way since I don’t think there are many places like that in Europe.
The sole setback for the Gers was Balogun’s injury following a rough collision with Shaun Donnellan. “It’s not good because it is a bad injury; he probably broke something in his face,” Clement remarked. The bright side is that, as a warrior, he thinks he can return quickly by donning a mask. I thus hope that’s the case.
