One year of Philippe Clement at Rangers - the best and worst defining moments as boss breaks Beale and Gio hoodoo
It's been a full year since Philippe Clement was named Rangers boss.
The Belgian was the man the Ibrox club turned to after Michael Beale was given the boot. Steven Gerrard's former number two got off to a poor start last campaign and paid the price after a home defeat to Aberdeen. It was a THIRD defeat in just seven league games for the Light Blues and they found themselves seven points adrift of Celtic at this stage with change required. A recruitment process then got underway with former Monaco and Club Brugge gaffer Clement the man who would impress the club hierarchy most.
His impact in his first few months delivered a Europa League knockout spot, a first piece of silverware and a 16-match unbeaten run with Brendan Rodgers and Celtic the ones to end that. He brought the club back into the title race after it appeared over under Beale after just a hat full of games - and while it wouldn't prove enough in the end, his impact had the Ibrox faithful excited once again.
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This summer it was a transitional period once again at Rangers. A host of new signings came in the door while big names and earners departed. The likes of John Lundstram, Borna Barisic, Kemar Roofe and Todd Cantwell headed on for pastures new with the message from the top down clear that the budget had to be cut with the playing staff a key way to bring those numbers down. It hasn't been the only challenge faced with Ibrox building delays meaning a temporary move to Hampden to kick-off the campaign.
It's been quite a year in charge for Clement with the Belgian tied down for many more. There is no such thing in Glasgow as second best and for the Rangers faithful and the boss, the drive to succeed is loud and clear as they bid to land silverware across all fronts this season. Record Sport look back at eight key moments that have defined Clement's first year in the Ibrox hotseat.
Big win over Betis in Seville (December 2023)
A massive moment in the Europa League campaign. Rangers headed back for Seville just 19 months on from their Europa League Final heartbreak. This time it was a thrilling night in the Estadio Benito Villamarin cauldron. It was an end to end occasion with Abdallah Sima opening the scoring before the hosts levelled. Cyriel Dessers then came alive with a bit of magic before the La Liga side once again responded. But Kemar Roofe was the hero late on to bag a famous win and with that top spot in the section and a last 16 spot.
Trophy drought ends against Aberdeen (December 2023)
Just THREE days on from the Europa League heroics in Spain it was over to Hampden for the League Cup Final. An immediate first chance at silverware for Clement in a tournament Rangers hadn't won for over 12 years.
Often the go to man for Rangers in recent years, skipper James Tavernier popped up late on to fire home and end the long wait for this particular trophy. A big moment for the Belgian who bagged a first trophy on his CV as Rangers boss.
Defeat to Celtic ends long unbeaten run (December 2023)
Rangers headed into this clash with Celtic riding the crest of a wave under Clement. 16 games unbeaten and confidence high. But - as recent matches between the duo have gone - it was the Hoops who would come out on top to inflict a first defeat on the Belgian.
In the aftermath, he said: "It was a game that could have been a draw. It was a game that we could have won. We had more shots than Celtic in an away game and without any fans behind us. My team showed braveness on the ball and created chances. Celtic was more clinical and the second goal is world class and that doesn't happen every week."
Breaking Hearts to keep up title heat (February 2024)
A 5-0 victory that put Rangers five points clear at the league summit ahead of Celtic's trip to Motherwell. Hearts arrived at Ibrox bang on form with now sacked Steven Naismith and his capital troops arriving in Glasgow on a 12-game unbeaten run. A five-star showing from the home side who continued to impress and ramp up the pressure on the Hoops.
3-3 thriller with Celtic at Ibrox (April 2024)
Rangers responded from trailing by two goals to level to fall behind once more before finding a way back into the game again for a share of the spoils in a Old Firm classic. It also denied Celtic the chance to go four points clear with the gap remaining at just one point with Rabbi Matondo's wonder strike earning a point. At this stage Rangers also had a game in hand over their rivals.
Clement declared his side 'more winner of the day' after the comeback draw. He said: "I don't know if it was classic, but my boys did something special. It was the worst way to start the game. But we showed our real quality and personality.
"We get a well-deserved point. We are more the winners of the day. Everybody sees this team is totally different from five months ago. It could have been more, but I think the result is also good."
Sickener at Parkhead (May 2024)
The match that essentially clinched the title for Celtic. Matt O'Riley and a John Lundstram own goal - who was later send off in an afternoon to forget - handed the hosts all three points to go six clear at the top with two games to play and a better goal difference.
Clement would not concede the title to the Hoops at this point but accepted it would be a 'long shot' for his troops to be crowned champions. He said: "Everybody felt there was still a chance. We were not clinical enough. We need to recover fast and get the three points against Dundee. I never accept until it's mathematically sure. It's a long shot now."
Show of faith from the board (August 2024)
Less than a year into his Ibrox tenure the club rewarded Clement with a new contract. On August 2 earlier this year, the club announced that he had put pen to paper to extend his journey in Glasgow until 2028. The big news came on the eve of the Scottish Premiership campaign for this season getting back up and running.
Clement said: "I have a really open and transparent relationship with the board - in every meeting that we have had you feel the passion and desire to make the club better and that is the same for me. I have fallen in love with the club, with the fans, the stadium and with the city. I see huge potential and now we need to make the club better and stronger in every department, that is our goal, and we are all really aligned about that.”
Return to Ibrox after building delays (October 2024)
Rangers made their long-awaited return to Ibrox after starting the season at Hampden. Building delays at their home in Govan meant they had to seek temporary accommodation with the national stadium selected. Clement's men suffered a Champions League exit at the hands of Dynamo Kiev while they also played Scottish Premiership and a Premier Sports Cup tie in Mount Florida.
The big return home came in the League Cup against Dundee with Clement describing it as a 'special feeling'. He said: "It's a buzz, you feel it in the building. You get a special feeling coming back there.
"I know it's the same with all the players. I feel it already - they give something extra in training. It will be with all the fans also. It's like coming home after a really long time. It felt like we hadn't been there for 10 years or something. It's not that long. We are really happy that we can be back there."