Philippe Clement aims to lead Rangers to Scottish Cup glory this year, seeking redemption after a painful last-minute defeat in the final last May. While he emphasizes the need to move forward and build a consistent squad, the memory of last season's loss to Celtic still fuels his ambition.
Philippe Clement isn't one to dwell on past disappointments. When setbacks occur, it's not in his nature to stay down for long. However, on Scottish Cup weekend, it's difficult for the Belgian manager not to feel the sting of May 25 last year. The Old Firm final was locked at 0-0 in injury time when Jack Butland's error allowed Adam Idah to snatch victory for Celtic.
It was a agonizing defeat for Clement and his players, who had already relinquished their Premiership lead, handing their rivals another title. This was especially painful as Rangers believed they had broken the deadlock earlier with an Abdallah Sima strike, only for it to be controversially disallowed. Clement doesn't harbor bitterness, but he admits that, while he's moved on to lead a new project at Ibrox this season, the last-gasp loss still stings. This feeling likely fuels his desperate desire to win the Scottish Cup this year. He's preparing for a last-16 tie against Championship outfit Queen's Park today but can't help but reflect on what might have been nine months ago. Asked how long it took to get over the loss, Clement said: 'It's still there because we didn't win the trophy. How long did it stay? Look, it was a game where we were really close. We scored the opening goal and it was disallowed. We can still have a discussion about that. But when it's finished you need to switch a button in your head. You have to look forward and be ready for a new season. As a staff or the players, we cannot live life as a fan. We can't be sick about it for days and then stay sick about it. We can't stay focused on it because then you're not ready for the next assignment. Of course, it's still in the back of your head and in your body. But you need to look ahead and go full for the next goal. That was the case in the summer.' Immediately after the final, Clement gathered his players on the Hampden pitch and delivered a powerful message to return stronger. However, he probably didn't anticipate that seven of his 20-man squad would depart in the summer as the club implemented significant financial cutbacks. This abrupt change of direction further emphasized to Clement the importance of not dwelling on the past. He desires more stability at Ibrox, hinting that Celtic's squad consistency has been a key factor in their recent domestic dominance. Clement said: 'I told the players to use that feeling (after the final) as fuel for this season. But a lot of the guys in the circle were away just a few weeks later. It's difficult to use that as fuel when you're working with a new group of players. And that's what we need at this club, more consistency in the squad, so we can build something. You can't start from new every time. 'I'll make a comparison with a house. You start with foundations, like we had to do this season. But it's not a good way to build a house if you do two storeys then wipe it and start from the foundation again. That's really important. We need to create something now with players who experience these things together. You need these connections, the timings, the communication – verbal and non-verbal – to understand each other. Each individual player has to know what their job is and collectively we have to move forward together now. Of course, you need a core and stability. And you need consistency to build every season. Some clubs have done that really well and they get the benefits. It's a major part of football. 'At every club where I was successful in the past, it was always when we had two or three years together as a group. Not with all 11 in the first-team but at least with seven or eight. That's such a critical part that can't be under-estimated.' With Rangers trailing in the Premiership table, a Scottish Cup triumph this May could be crucial for Clement and his young squad. They are expected to overcome Queen's Park with relative ease today and advance to the quarter-finals. However, Clement won't underestimate Callum Davidson's side. This caution stems from a previous cup defeat to lower-league outfit Rodez in France two years ago while managing Monaco. Clement, who won the Belgian cup four times as a player with Genk and Club Brugge, said: 'What I remember about that is I put too many young guys in to give them a chance. And the senior guys didn't perform as they should have or help the young ones. The other team were 100 per cent efficient and had the day of their lives. So the cup competitions are always dangerous, you need to balance things really well. 'Is it a warning to us against Queen's Park? No, it happened only one time like that. I've had a lot of cup games in a different way with Monaco and with other teams. But it's something that happens every season in every league. We are very ambitious for this game and we respect Queen's Park. We will have the same preparation for them as we had against Manchester United or Tottenham in Europe.
RANGERS PHILIPPECLEMENT SCOTTISH CUP CELTIC OLD FIRM FOOTBALL
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
6 Rangers wildcards Philippe Clement can throw into Scottish Cup experimentGiving youth a chance is the motto this season at Ibrox - and it could be ramped up against Fraserburgh
Read more »
Rangers Boss Clement Remains Focused on Premiership Title Despite Scottish Cup ChallengePhilippe Clement, the manager of Rangers, has declared his unwavering commitment to the pursuit of the Scottish Premiership title, even though his team currently trails Celtic by a significant margin. Despite the challenges, Clement believes that the league race is far from over and that his team can still achieve their goals. Rangers' recent success in the Europa League has provided them with a much-needed boost, but Clement insists that his players will not be afforded any slack in training. He recognizes the need to maintain their fitness and sharpness despite the upcoming break in league action. Clement also reveals that his efforts to strengthen the squad during the January transfer window were ultimately unsuccessful, leaving him yearning for more width in his attacking options.
Read more »
Philippe Clement admits Dessers could leave Rangers despite cup hattrickClement did not rule out the possibility of the Nigerian, now Scotland’s joint top scorer with 16 goals, departing this month
Read more »
Watch: Scottish Cup 4th rd - Can Rangers add to lead over Highland League Fraserburgh?Watch Sportscene plus in-play clips, listen to Sportsound commentary and follow live text updates as Rangers host Highland League Fraserburgh in the Scottish Cup.
Read more »
Ex-Glentoran teen makes first-team debut for Rangers in Scottish Cup tieEx-Glentoran youngster Mason Munn was named in Rangers' starting XI against Fraserburgh in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup
Read more »
Rangers Teenager Mason Munn Makes Dream Debut in Scottish Cup VictoryMason Munn, an 18-year-old goalkeeper from Northern Ireland, made his highly anticipated debut for Rangers in their Scottish Cup fourth-round match against Fraserburgh. Munn impressed in goal as Rangers secured a comfortable 5-0 victory. This breakthrough moment for Munn comes after a period of training with the first team and featuring for the Rangers B side.
Read more »