Philippe Clement described Rangers’ performance in the 2-0 defeat by St Mirren at Ibrox as “by far the worst” in his time at the club.
Gers fans went to Ibrox boosted by news this week of a potential multi-million pound takeover of the club by a USA-led consortium but they were stunned by a well-organised Buddies side.
St Mirren deservedly won through second-half goals from striker Mikael Mandron and substitute Toyosi Olusanya, which handed the Paisley side their first win Govan since November, 1991.
Clement is under pressure again as Rangers remain 13 points behind William Hill Premiership leaders Celtic and on the way to a trophy-less season domestically although they have a Europa League last-16 tie against Fenerbahce to come in March.
It was a second successive home defeat for the Belgian boss following the humiliating Scottish Gas Scottish Cup loss to Championship side Queen’s Park and Clement, who joined the Light Blues in October, 2023, watched many disgruntled supporters depart before the final whistle.
He said: “I understand. We were by far the worst I’ve seen in all the time I’ve been here.
“I understand fans don’t want to see that level. It’s about standing up as a team and showing more qualify.
“It’s about finding out where this nervousness came from.
“It’s terribly disappointing, because we were so nervous, on the ball, in the duels, in everything.
“I don’t know where it’s coming from. That’s my frustration and it’s also my responsibility to put a team on the pitch with the right mindset.
“I didn’t see this one coming, this nervousness, everyone below par, almost all game.
“There were a few better spells but by far we were not what Rangers should be.”
Clement admits his side lacked leadership against the determined Paisley side.
He said: “I saw the team drifting apart in islands.
“That’s not been the case in the past, when we’ve had difficult moments and went behind, but reacted as a team.
“Today it was reacting one on one and not as a team. Then we don’t play the football we need to play and it’s a bad performance
“Leadership is an important one, but leadership is also a collective one. In the first place it’s my responsibility.”
Stephen Robinson celebrated his third anniversary in charge of the Buddies with a landmark victory for the club and the second win over the Gers this season after a 2-1 victory over the Light Blues in Paisley on Boxing Day.
The Northern Irishman said: “We have raised expectations at this football club and it’s not because we have massive resources or an injection of cash. It is because of the squad of players. They deserve all the credit for the performance.
“The big thing is we did not feel under pressure. We come to these places and a lot of times you don’t have ownership of the game.
“We felt we were in control of the game and when we landed on the ball we were brave and created lots of half chances and perhaps could have had a couple more.
“We press aggressively every week. The players are the ones who have to do that. You can have all the tactical ideas, but they ran over Rangers at times.
“Their pressing and quality was a joy to watch at times.
“When you see a group who don’t get paid millions of pounds but just try and win every game that they play.
“You can’t do that at St Mirren, you have bad times, but I give them all the credit I can.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. 23 years ago, Ronaldinho fooled everyone with 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 free-kick against England and a star was born If Nico Williams moves to BarcaTrent Pep Guardiola knows how to TURN ON the Cyborg! AN INSPIRATION TO THE WORLD! Fabrizio Romano shares his new Lamine Yamal bed on Facebook.This is so funny Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credi...
Andre Onana is keen to stay at Manchester United despite interest from Monaco, sources have told ESPN.The French side asked for information from Onana's representatives about his potential availability this summer.Monaco also showed interest in former United goalkeeper David De Gea before he extended his contract with Fiorentina.Onana, however, is determined to stay at Old Trafford unless he is to...
Liverpool could still enter the market in one of their biggest-spending windows.Liverpool are reportedly set to launch crunch talks with Crystal Palace over England defender Marc Guehi. The Reds are long-term admirers of the 25-year-old and could make him their latest big-money signing.Palace are said to value Guehi at around £70million despite only one year remaining on the former Chelsea st...
Liverpool confirmed the signing of Germany international Florian Wirtz on Friday evening.Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has spoken about the signing of Florian WirtzJurgen Klopp has expressed his admiration for Liverpool's acquisition of German international Florian Wirtz. The former Reds manager, who departed in 2024 and now serves as Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer, maintains close ties ...
Chelsea no longer interested in MaignanPer Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are no longer interested in AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan. They have not reactivated talks with the player and reportedly do not intend to do it later in the transfer window as they have confidence in their current crop of custodians at Stamford Bridge.Van Nistelrooy set to be sacked by Leicester after relegationLeicester City ...
Juventus, Napoli in contact with Chelsea striker JacksonSerie A clubs are interested in Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson.Jackson's future at Chelsea is in doubt after he suffered another red card in yesterday's Club World Cup defeat to Flamengo.Sky Italia's0Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Juventus and Napoli are interested in Jackson.Juventus have0 already made contact with the player's management ...
Bayern Munich rival Chelsea for Borussia Dortmund winger GittensBayern Munich are interested in Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens.Gittens saw a move to Chelsea fall through last week after Dortmund rejected their 342m offer on Tuesday's Club World Cup transfer deadline.Kicker reports that Bayern are planning a move to sign Gittens during this window.Bayern sporting director Max Eberl has left...
Frimpong reacts as Wirtz joins Liverpool in 3116m moveJeremie Frimpong has responded to Florian Wirtz’s move from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool, following in his footsteps.Just weeks after the Dutchman made the switch from the Bundesliga side to the Reds, Wirtz followed in a blockbuster 3116 million ($156m) move.0Shortly after the transfer was confirmed, Frimpong responded with the eyes emoj...
Rashford keen on joining Yamal’s BarcelonaManchester United star Marcus Rashford has expressed a desire to play alongside Lamine Yamal, seemingly sending a message to Barcelona to make a move.The England international has reportedly had his sights set on a Blaugrana transfer for a while. Now, the former Aston Villa loanee has arguably dropped a not-so-subtle hint that he’s eager to joi...
Quilindschy Hartman will join Burnley as soon as next weekFeyenoord have reportedly accepted a bid from Burnley for left-back Quilindschy Hartman.As Burnley were preparing an offer for the 23-year-old Hartman, the left-back was reported to have visited Burnley's training ground and met manager Scott Parker before the weekend.According to Dutch media, Feyenoord have accepted a €12 million bid...
- 1 Man Utd have Hugo Ekitike 'advantage'
- 2 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 3 Stunning Euro U21 reporter dubbed 'queen of Europe' in bold dress
- 4 Man Utd make decision on replacing Andre Onana with Emi Martinez this summer
- 5 DONE DEAL: Celta Vigo sign permanently Ilaix from RB Leipzig
- 6 Maddison and Wag announce they're expecting twins AGAIN
- 7 Seattle Sounders vs PSG Prediction 24 June 2025
- 8 Gareth Bale set to buy former PL club
- 9 Real Madrid reveal target as Zubimendi joins Arsenal
- 10 Neymar flaunts 'candy floss' pink outfit that costs more than a family car