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.”
Leyton Orient remain on course for the Sky Bet League One play-offs after a 1-0 win which dented Wycombe’s hopes of automatic promotion.Randell Williams scored the only goal of the game and Orient’s victory, their fifth in succession, leaves them ahead of seventh-placed Reading on goal difference.Defeat for the Chairboys, though, has handed the initiative to Wrexham, who could seal the...

Doncaster clinched promotion to League One after goals from Rob Street and Billy Sharp secured a 2-1 win over 10-man Yorkshire rivals Bradford.In an incident-packed encounter in front of over 12,500 fans – the Eco-Power Stadium’s biggest crowd of the season – Doncaster hit the post through Jordan Gibson before on-loan Lincoln striker Street gave Rovers a 33rd-minute lead with his...

Reading’s hunt for a Sky Bet League One play-off spot will go to the final day of the season after the Royals beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 at the Memorial Stadium.Lewis Wing’s eighth league goal of the season after 67 minutes and Chem Campbell’s added-time effort leaves the Pirates staring at relegation after Noel Hunt’s side had to survive a first-half onslaught from the hosts....

Jamie Andrews struck a late equaliser as Woking twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Eastleigh in the National League.Tyrese Shade put the visitors in front after 14 minutes, played in on goal by Ben Close before finding the bottom corner of the net.Woking then drew level three minutes before the break when Aiden O’Brien headed in from Jacob Jones’ free-kick.Shade had Eastleigh back...

Port Vale secured automatic promotion to League One after beating AFC Wimbledon 2-0 at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.Second-half goals by Jayden Stockley and Jaheim Hedley ensured Vale would finish in the top three and also made a dent in the home side’s push for the play-offs.Vale created the first real attempt of the game which saw Lorent Tolaj fire over from 12 yards out following a cros...

Zian Flemming and Jeremy Sarmiento both scored twice as Burnley emphatically maintained their Championship title hopes by hammering QPR 5-0 in their penultimate match of the season.Josh Cullen also netted in a one-sided game as the Clarets, already promoted along with Leeds, won with ease to move to the top of the table, three points ahead of the Yorkshire side.However, Leeds, who are at home to B...

Nicolas Jackson ended his long goal drought to fire Chelsea a step nearer to the Champions League with a 1-0 win against Everton at Stamford Bridge.A dominant display was capped by the winning goal scored midway through the first half, the striker’s first since December 15 finished confidently from 20 yards past Jordan Pickford as though he had been scoring every week, as suspended head coac...

Celtic clinched the William Hill Premiership title in style with a 5-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice.Nicolas Kuhn and substitute Adam Idah both hit doubles after Ryan Strain’s 30th-minute own-goal kicked off the rout.Celtic had only needed a point but they wrapped up their fourth consecutive championship in similar fashion to last year, when a 5-0 win at Kilmarnock earned Brendan R...

Chris Wilder labelled his side’s 2-0 win over Stoke a “proper away performance” as they got back to winning ways.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.An improved showing saw Sam McCallum, making just his eighth start of the campaign, score late in the first hal...

Goals from Sam McCallum and Andre Brooks ensured Sheffield United returned to winning ways with by beating Stoke 2-0.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.McCallum had scored just one goal since his summer move from Norwich but popped up at the back post when Rhian Brewster&rsquo...



- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 3 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 4 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 5 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 6 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive
- 7 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola fumes over point claimed at 10-man Crystal Palace
- 10 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest