'Horrific' - Pundit issues verdict on Rangers man ahead of Old Firm clash v Celtic

Paul Slane believes that if Rangers manage to beat Celtic then the SPFL title race is back on.

The Open Goal podcast pundit has highlighted the poor record Philippe Clement has in Old Firm games since becoming the Gers boss.

He will have a chance to get a win against their arch rivals on Thursday, 2 January.

Slane told Open Goal at 59:12: “The game at Ibrox is obviously going to be so important. But obviously if Rangers beat Celtic at Ibrox, the league’s back on. They need to win this game, Rangers. The record v Celtic has been horrific, especially under Clement and it has been so dominant for Celtic.”

Rangers can use home advantage to their favour v Celtic

Clement, despite having a challenging record against Celtic in Old Firm encounters since taking charge at Ibrox, can take some pride in how his team performed in the recent Scottish League Cup final at Hampden Park, a neutral venue.

Rangers went toe to toe with their arch rivals, showcasing resilience and competitiveness even though they ultimately didn’t secure the win.

This performance indicates that Clement’s squad has the capability to match the Hoops’ intensity and skill level.

Now, the Belgian has the opportunity to leverage the home advantage, where the support of the fans can be a significant boost.

The familiarity of their home ground, coupled with the momentum from their spirited cup final display, might give the hosts the confidence they need.

A victory here could indeed reignite the SPFL title race, as suggested by Slane, but a loss all but ends the season and potentially Clement’s time at the club.

In other Rangers news, the club are seriously considering tabling a bid for an in-form striker in the January transfer window.

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