Rangers manager Philippe Clement could face an early exit if he fails to secure a victory against Celtic in the upcoming Old Firm derby on September 1st, according to veteran journalist Kevin Keevins. Writing in his column for the Daily Record on August 18th, Keevins suggested that defeat in the high-stakes match might mean Clement is more likely to lose his job before reaching his first anniversary as manager in October than to see out his contract, which runs until June 2028.
“If Philippe Clement loses to Celtic on September 1, the question is not whether he will be Rangers’ manager by October 15th, but if he will even make it to that date,” Keevins remarked, highlighting the precarious nature of the manager’s position.
Keevins also emphasized the growing discontent among Rangers supporters, whom he described as being in a state of “emotional bankruptcy.” He noted that fans are increasingly disillusioned with the club’s leadership and warned that this could have serious implications for Clement’s future at Ibrox.
“No manager remains in place in defiance of the fans’ wishes,” Keevins wrote. “Rangers cannot thrive while thousands of empty seats at matches stand as a stark symbol of the supporters’ alienation. The club’s current state, in my view, is worse than when it faced financial collapse in 2012. This time, it’s emotional bankruptcy that plagues them.”
Keevins further criticized Clement for his “baffling” team selections, which have left fans, pundits, and former players scratching their heads.
“The manager doesn’t help himself,” Keevins added. “His tendency to overthink and complicate matters on the pitch is only exacerbated when he tries to explain his decisions in post-match press conferences, leaving everyone even more confused.”
With the pressure mounting, all eyes will be on Clement and his team as they prepare for the crucial derby. Failure to deliver a win could have serious consequences for the Belgian manager’s tenure at Rangers.