Manager in spotlight: Philippe Clement

Philippe Clement will have greeted Rangers’ 4-1 Europa League win over Nice with a mixture of joy, satisfaction, relief and frustration.

The reason for the joy is obvious considering the win in the south of France not only shocked many around Europe means the Belgian’s side are almost assured of progress to the knockout stage.

The satisfaction will have come from Hamza Igamane justifying Clement’s decision to start the 22-year-old ahead of misfiring striker Cyriel Dessers with two goals and assists in his first European start.

The relief comes amid speculation about his future as manager after his side slipped 11 points behind leaders Celtic in the domestic title race after last weekend’s 1-1 draw at home to Dundee United.

The frustration results from his side’s Jekyll and Hyde contrast between patchy domestic performances and impressive ones in Europe.

With just four points, Rangers have the lowest tally from their opening five away games of a league season since 1987-88 under Graeme Souness.

However, meetings with St Johnstone, Kilmarnock and Ross County give Clement a chance to change the domestic narrative before new chief executive Patrick Stewart takes charge on 16 December shortly after more difficult matches with Tottenham Hotspur in Europe and Celtic in the League Cup final.

The omens are good for Rangers on Sunday despite Simo Valakari’s side ending their own three-game losing streak by beating Kilmarnock 1-0 last Saturday.

Rangers have won both their meetings with St Johnstone this season and their past three visits to McDiarmid Park, all without conceding a goal, and have won their past seven games against the Perth side.

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