Rangers manager Philippe Clement did not mince words as he criticized St Johnstone players for their role in the injury that led to John Lundstram’s departure from the pitch during a match at Ibrox. According to Clement, the midfielder was “kicked off the pitch” by Craig Levein’s players.
The incident occurred in the 33rd minute when Diallang Jaiyesimi lunged at Lundstram with his studs up, resulting in a red card for the St Johnstone winger after a VAR check. Despite staying on the pitch until halftime, Lundstram was eventually substituted at the break, with Dujon Sterling taking his place.
Expressing his frustration at full-time, Clement acknowledged the severity of Lundstram’s injury, stating, “It’s another player who is kicked off the pitch, so I am really frustrated with that. This for me is my main concern after the game – again a player kicked off the pitch.”
Clement emphasized the dangerous nature of the challenge, saying, “But it clearly wasn’t a good challenge with your studs forward like that. We had an even worse one later in the game when the guy luckily hit the ball and not my player, the intensity there was to break a leg. Those things are not good for football.”
Concerned about Lundstram’s recovery, Clement added, “I’m not sure we can get him back before the winter break, so that’s not a good situation. It’s his ankle, so we will see in the next couple of days what will happen.”
The manager also provided an update on striker Kemar Roofe, who was forced off the pitch just 16 minutes into the game. Clement revealed, “He’s very disappointed because he was coming back in a good way, he was training well and getting minutes.” Roofe’s Ibrox career has been marred by a series of setbacks, and this latest injury could see him sidelined once again after undergoing hip surgery in March.
As Clement reflected on the disappointing turn of events, he opted not to make hasty judgments, saying, “I don’t want to go in on emotions after the game, I am a little boiling so it’s better to cool down and make opinions about leagues or whatever.” However, he expressed concern about the impact of such challenges on the sport, concluding, “Those things are not good for football.”