Philippe Clement deserves better from Rangers board and has been left 'behind eight ball' in Celtic title race

The Rangers board have "dropped the ball" over delays to work on Ibrox and Philippe Clement deserves better, says Kris Boyd.

An error with ordering a cantilever for the Copland Road stand means the upgrades will not be finished for the new Premiership season beginning and the stadium will be out of commission. That leaves Gers scrambling to find a neutral venue to use for their 'home' game and surrendering the advantage of playing at Ibrox.

It's a situation which worries Boyd as in between those 'home' games they have away ones to Hearts, Celtic, Dundee United, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock - some of the trickiest venues in the country. The former striker fears his old club are on the back foot in the title race as their rivals threaten to overtake their historic domestic success.

Light Blues fans have often held up banners declaring 'we deserve better' and the pundit insists they would be right to do so again. But he says the manager has justifcation to feel the exact way as he tries to overhaul his squad and go again against the backdrop of this uncertain situation.

Boyd said in the Scottish Sun: "We deserve better. Rangers fans have unveiled banners with those words a few times at Ibrox in recent years. Nobody could blame them if they do so again in the coming months. Well, that is if Ibrox is able to host a game any time soon.

"There are only 36 days until the start of the season and we still don’t know where Rangers will be playing their home fixtures in the early weeks of the campaign. Or MONTHS, going by the average delay to any kind of building work. With so many season-defining games coming up, it’s a crazy situation to get yourself into.

"My old club have dropped the ball big-time on this and you wonder just how damaging it might be for them. In terms of the title race, Rangers are already behind the eight ball before a game has even been played. The start to the season is tough enough before you factor this Ibrox mess into the equation.

"You wonder what Philippe Clement makes of all this. The Rangers boss is overseeing the club’s now annual rebuild when it comes to the playing squad. We could easily see 12 arrivals before the end of the window — and plenty going out the door. The last thing Clement needs is upheaval in terms of home fixtures. Ibrox is a massive asset for Rangers. Having to play ‘home’ games elsewhere robs them of a significant advantage.

"Clement is a serious individual, a manager who understands the demands and has big plans for Rangers. This Ibrox situation is a major headache for him at such a vital period of the season. Just like the fans, Clement deserves better too."