Philippe Clement told his Rangers players to enjoy their upcoming break after bouncing back from their Old Firm defeat to beat Kilmarnock 3-1 at Ibrox
The Belgian had lost his first game as Gers boss since taking over in October in the narrow 2-1 loss at Celtic Park on Saturday but late first-half goals against Killie from wide-men Ross McCausland and Abdallah Sima had the Light Blues in control at the break.
The visitors refused to buckle and Danny Armstrong reduced the deficit in the 58th minute with a penalty awarded after VAR intervention.
🎙️ Philippe Clement spoke to the media after today’s victory at Ibrox. pic.twitter.com/Hu9HGniOC5
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) January 2, 2024
It was the first penalty Rangers had conceded in 75 cinch Premiership matches since Lewis Ferguson netted for Aberdeen in a 1-1 draw in January 2022.
However, Todd Cantwell soon restored the two-goal cushion to keep the pressure on leaders Celtic going in to the winter break, where they will have a few days off before going to Spain for a training camp next week.
Clement, looking back to qualifying for the Europa League last 16 with a win away to Real Betis before winning the Viaplay Cup final against Aberdeen days later, said: “I said it also in the opposite way after the win in Betis. Three days later we then had to be there again and performing under all the pressure to win a trophy after so many years.
“They showed resilience, concentration, ambition and today they showed that also.
“This is one of the dangerous games where you’d be disappointed not to win. It’s a few hours away from going on a break.
“It’s the festive time where all the family are around you having a good time with drinks, food and a good life.
“The players had to recover really fast and then perform. But they are doing that.
“They are on the right road. They understand my story, which is also important. This is that life is much better when you are ambitious every day.
“If you go in satisfied about what you did, then you go down.
“I told them in the dressing room they can switch off for a few days. Of course they need to do their programme.
“They cannot let their body do nothing for five or six days and then have a hard training camp, because then you’re at risk of injuries.
“But outside of that they really need to switch off and enjoy their time with their families.”
Killie boss Derek McInnes watched midfielder Liam Donnelly go off early with a hamstring problem but he is focused on bringing in a striker in the transfer window.
He said: “We are a wee bit short in the midfield at the minute.
“We have three significant injuries so we will see how those play out over the next couple of weeks and we are only looking to try to do one bit of business, we are trying to bring in a forward player, other than that I am happy with the squad.
“I want us to get back on the horse really quickly when we come back and set about the task. I am really encouraged with what I am getting from these lads.
“The message at half-time was can we win the second half, get the next goal, don’t go under, make sure we stick together and stick to what we want to do.
“The spirit in the team was terrific, everything I expected from them.
“We have been on a good run of late and clearly there are improvements in the side. We get a goal back and we just needed to keep it at 2-1 for longer.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. EPL 1st big match 2025/26Man Utd VS Arsenal Gyokeres now It's like he never left LOL Juventus in Group G of Club World Cup I can't believe Lamine Yamal is actually dating her Eric Ten Hag with hair. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, originaltrollfootball)...
1After a mostly dismal campaign, the Tottenham captain, 32, could bid farewell to the club after 10 years, with only one year left on his contract, though Spurs will not be letting him go cheaply.According to Turkish reporter Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, he could be set to reunite with former boss Jose Mourinho.A face-to-face meeting between player and manager to discuss a potential move is said to have tak...
Liverpool is closing in on a deal to sign Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez after securing deals for Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz.Kerkez has been earmarked as the ideal long-term successor to Andy Robertson, who could leave the club this summer amid interest from Diego Simeone's Atletic Madrid.Bournemouth is preparing for life after Kerkez, and on Monday the South Coast club announced the s...
Marcus Rashford is looking for his next move after a loan spell at Aston VillaNewcastle United could give Marcus Rashford a route back into the Champions League. The Manchester United forward's time at Old Trafford looks to be up, but his options are limited.Barcelona had been thought to be Rashfird's preference, but the Catalan club have been eyeing other targets. Nico Williams and Luis Diaz are ...
Wirtz decided on Liverpool move 'months' agoGerman sensation Florian Wirtz made it clear "months" ago that he wanted to leave Bayer Leverkusen for Liverpool, according to Germany chief Rudi Voller.Speaking on Toni Kroos' podcast 'Einfach Mal Luppen', Voller said: "A few months ago, he hinted to me, as did his father, that he was inclined to go to Liverpool."Sesko's agent sends Arsenal 'blackmail' ...
New Tottenham manager Thomas Frank kicks off his tenure at the club at home to newly promoted Burnley on the opening day of the Premier League season, before a trip Manchester City the following week.Spurs' first London derby comes against Chelsea (home) on Nov. 1. which is followed by Manchester United (home) on Nov. 8. and the first North London derby of the season against Arsenal at the Emirate...
Arsenal will need to navigate a tricky opening run to the 2025-26 Premier League season, beginning the season with a clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford.They then face away games against Liverpool and Newcastle United before a home clash with Manchester City.- Full Premier League fixture listMikel Arteta has been among a host of Premier League managers who have been outspoken the usual...
Manchester City will begin their bid to regain the Premier League title next season with an opening clash away to Wolves, the fixture list revealed on Wednesday.Pep Guardiola failed to lift any trophies last season for the first time since 2017. To right that ship next season he will have to nagivate an opening run that then sees City face Tottenham Hotspur (away) and Brighton (home) before clashe...
Man United have been handed a brutal schedule to open the 2025-26 Premier League season that will begin with an opening-day clash with Arsenal at Old Trafford, the league's fixture list revealed on Wednesday.Ruben Amorim is hoping to see United rebound from their worst-ever Premier League season but will face an uphill battle early on as they face Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea in their open...
Liverpool face a difficult run of games to begin their Premier League title defence next season, opening with a home clash against Bournemouth before facing Newcastle United (away) and Arsenal (home).The Premier League released its fixture list for next season on Wednesday, with the the first Merseyside derby will coming after just four games on Sept. 20. Other major early clashes come against Che...
- 1 DONE DEAL: Marseille confirm CJ Egan-Riley signing from Burnley
- 2 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 3 Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summer
- 4 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 5 Man Utd make decision on replacing Andre Onana with Emi Martinez this summer
- 6 PSG vs Atletico Madrid Prediction 16 June 2025
- 7 Laura Woods gives update on post-pregnancy body
- 8 Real Madrid eye a trio of targets
- 9 Maddison and Wag announce they're expecting twins AGAIN
- 10 'If you want to understand, it's really obvious' – USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino responds to Christian Pulisic, eager to move past off-field drama