As we reflect on Philippe Clement’s first year as Rangers’ 19th permanent manager, we break it down into three phases: the initial burst of energy, the end-of-season dip, and the squad transformation. It’s been a year of highs, lows, and significant changes, but how does Clement fare a year in?
The First Six Months: A Flying Start
Clement arrived at Ibrox on October 15, 2023, at a time when Rangers were reeling. A humbling 1-3 loss to Aberdeen at Ibrox and a frustrating 2-1 defeat to Aris Limassol had fans calling for change, and that spelled the end for Michael Beale. Enter Clement, who lifted the squad almost immediately, delivering a string of positive results.
Rangers topped their Europa League group, clinched the Scottish League Cup, and surged into a promising position in the league. The media hailed Clement for extracting more from the squad than anyone expected, reigniting hope among the fanbase.
The Turning Point: That Motherwell Game
However, just when it seemed things were on track, the now infamous Motherwell game happened. Rangers fans had seen this story before—a squad that Clement had initially lifted began to lose steam. The tempo slowed, passes became more cautious, and the boldness to push forward disappeared. It was reminiscent of the drop-offs we witnessed under Steven Gerrard, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, and Michael Beale.
The injury crisis certainly played a part, but the squad’s lack of urgency and bravery became all too apparent. The Motherwell defeat sparked a downturn, culminating in Rangers being knocked out of the Europa League by Benfica, drawing at home to Celtic, and dropping crucial points to Ross County and Dundee. Any serious title challenge fizzled out as a result.
The reasons for this regression are hard to pinpoint. Was it a lack of mental toughness? Perhaps the players knew their time at the club was coming to an end. Whatever the reason, the squad simply wasn’t good enough to push for silverware, and the options for change were limited.
Rebuilding the Squad: Out with the Old, In with the New
Clement faced a harsh reality when it came to the squad: it was aging, injury-prone, and full of players nearing the end of their contracts. Financially, Rangers were not in great shape either, largely due to Michael Beale’s costly transfer deals—spending big on the likes of Dessers (£4.5m), Lammers (£3.5m), and Danilo (£5m). Of these, only Dessers made any notable impact.
The club’s failure to cash in on players like Lundstram, Barisic, and Jack (Kent and Morelos if you want to go back further) when they had value left us in a position where key figures left for nothing at the end of their contracts. This summer, however, saw the long-awaited squad overhaul.
With a host of departures, the wage bill was trimmed, leaving Rangers in a stronger financial position. However, the flip side is that we lost a wealth of experience. The incoming players are younger, less experienced, and while they have potential, it’s inevitable that there will be growing pains.
Transfer Business: Hits and Misses
Looking at the transfer activity under Clement, there have been more hits than misses. Diomande, Barron, Kent, and Kasanwirjo have shown themselves to be promising young talents. Diomande’s form has dipped recently, but we’ve seen glimpses of his potential, and there’s hope that he can rediscover it soon.
Igamane and Nsiala remain works in progress, with limited game time, while Propper and Cerny, brought in for their experience, have yet to deliver consistent performances. Cerny’s recent brace was a positive sign, though, and could be the confidence boost he needs.
The big worry, however, is Cortes. Plagued by injuries, Cortes was a gamble when Rangers brought him back on loan with an obligation to buy. With a price tag around £4m and the player sidelined once again, this could prove to be a costly mistake.
January’s transfer window will be crucial. Reinforcements are needed, particularly a defensive midfielder and depth in wide areas and up front.
Tactical Decisions: Room for Improvement
Clement has faced justified criticism over some of his team selections and game management. Fans have been baffled by unexpected changes, which often lead to early substitutions as things go wrong on the pitch. Players have been played out of position too frequently—Sterling, McCausland, Diomande, Cortes, and Dowell have all been victims of this tactical flexibility.
These constant changes make it hard to predict the starting lineup and raise questions: does Clement know his best XI? Are these decisions driven by player fitness concerns we’re not privy to?
Then there’s the Tavernier conundrum. Once a reliable attacking outlet, Tavernier’s performances have dipped, and his defensive frailties are now exposed more than ever. It’s time to consider transitioning to Kasanwirjo or Sterling at right back.
One thing is certain: Rangers fans will not tolerate continued losses to Celtic. Six Old Firm derbies so far under Clement have resulted in two draws and four defeats. The upcoming Christmas fixture at Ibrox will be critical—not necessarily in the board’s eyes, but for the fans, it could be make-or-break.
Off-Field Disruption: A Club in Turmoil
Off the pitch, Rangers have been in disarray. The departures of key figures like the CEO, Head of Academy, and interim Chairman have left a leadership vacuum. Clement has, by default, become the main spokesman for the club—a role he likely didn’t envision taking on.
Delays in the Copland stand redevelopment, which forced Rangers to play at Hampden early in the season, added more distractions and undoubtedly impacted the funds available for transfers.
The Verdict: How Has Clement Done?
It’s been a challenging year for Philippe Clement. He’s acknowledged that the squad wasn’t as strong as he initially believed and that resources to improve it have been limited. He couldn’t have anticipated the off-field turbulence that has plagued the club either.
There are still questions around his team selection, substitutions, and in-game tactics, which need to improve. However, the overall direction of travel, particularly regarding the squad’s transformation, is positive.
If we were to grade his first year, it’s probably a solid B-, or perhaps a 6/10—enough to pass but with room for improvement.
This revision adds more flow to the article, ensures clear transitions between sections, and injects a fan-centric perspective with constructive critiques while maintaining a hopeful tone.