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Report ; Why Philippe Clement totally failed Rangers as a manager
Rangers manager Philippe Clement has tempered Ibrox expectations in an ominous update as supporters eagerly await transfer news.
Heading into the summer transfer window the Belgian manager was clear that he expected the club to be “very active” this January.
So far Rangers have moved to sign Portuguese attacker Fabio Silva on loan for the rest of the season but the 21-year-old Wolves forward stands as the only signing of the window.
Despite this, Rangers have been linked to several transfer options this winter and the Ibrox manager was grilled on the situation at the club’s warm weather training camp.
Philippe Clement transfer update
Speaking after the 1-0 friendly defeat to Hertha Berlin – where the Belgian coach saw red on the sidelines – Clement was giving nothing away about transfers.
But in a rather sombre update, the comments certainly aren’t of a man who is confident that he’s going to get what he needs to improve the squad this January.
“Everybody is working really hard for that (signing players),” Clement told the Rangers Review.
“But to find the right players who can add something extra to the squad, not to add players (just) to add players.
“So January is always a difficult period in that way and everybody is working really hard in the club to get that.”
When asked if he is expecting to sign players this January, Clement said: “Yeah I expect, everybody expects, and everybody is working really hard for that.”
Then pressed on how many players Rangers could sign this window: “No (I can’t put a figure on it) because I know out of my experience that you never get everything that you want, not one club.
“Maybe there are the clubs with the most money in the world, they can do that, but not clubs like Rangers.
“So we’re going to make it as good as possible in this period, it’s much easier in the summer.”
January Rangers expectations tempered
Whilst Philippe Clement didn’t give much away with regards potential transfer interest, you’ll forgive fans for feeling like we’re being prepped for disappointment.
That old adage about January being a tough window continues to ring true and ironically this is amongst the most revealing transfer soundbites we’ve ever had from big Phil.
Heading into the window the Ibrox manager didn’t flinch when asked about incomings and outgoings but reading between the lines is a little easier here.
Obviously it’s clear that Rangers still expect to do transfer business but by the sounds of things it hasn’t been quite as easy as Philippe Clement would’ve hoped.
Let’s just hope the comments are with respect a worst case scenario and the club find the right players in the window.
Rangers continue to be linked with a move for a left-back as the club potentially prepare to lose Ridvan Yilmaz. Benfica star David Jurasek is the latest option to be mentioned in the position.
It is also believed that a striker continues to be high on the club’s wishlist with Rangers set to lose Abdallah Sima for AFCON and both Danilo and Kemar Roofe currently sidelined with no fixed date for their return.
Rangers manager Philippe Clement has failed to rule out Ridvan Yilmaz potentially leaving the club after the friendly defeat to Hertha Berlin.
The Ibrox manager was speaking after the 1-0 defeat to the German side at the club’s warm weather winter training camp in Spain.
Ridvan Yilmaz has been strongly linked with a January move to Serie A side Verona but the Turkish international started the friendly match for Rangers at La Manga.
It’s caused a little confusion amid strong left-back transfer links in and out of Ibrox this January and Philippe Clement was pressed on the situation at full time.
Philippe Clement on Ridvan Yilmaz
Speaking to the Rangers Review following the mid-season friendly against Hertha Berlin, Philippe Clement was somewhat coy on the future of Ridvan Yilmaz.
Claiming that the left-back will remain in the Rangers team until he’s transferred out, the Belgian boss certainly didn’t rule anything out with regards a move to Italy.
“It’s the same as the situation with the rumours about players coming in,” Clement said.
“As long as players haven’t signed somewhere else and they are here, they are here.”
The latest links between Ridvan Yilmaz and Verona come from Sky Sports, who claim the Italians hope to secure a loan deal for the Rangers defender.
Nothing settled in Rangers transfer window
The Philippe Clement comments on Ridvan Yilmaz are interesting for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, the Rangers manager didn’t rule out a transfer and the answer is a tad more relaxed than simply refusing to comment on any speculation.
Secondly, they appear to be in keeping with a run of left-back transfer dominoes which need to fall before Verona could theoretically move for Ridvan Yilmaz.
Marseille are reportedly in negotiations to sell left-back Renan Lodi to Saudi club Al-Hilal in a £17m deal which would free up funds for them to invest elsewhere.
The French side could then theoretically move for former Hibs left-back Josh Doig, who is reportedly closing in on a move to Ligue 1.
This would then open up a space in the Verona squad for the Italians to go on and sign Yilmaz from Rangers.
It’s clear nothing has been decided just yet and as Philippe Clement updates on the Ridvan Yilmaz situation, the left-back will be included in the Rangers squad until it is.
