'Odd move' - Chris Sutton reacts to behind-the-scenes Rangers news as Clement sack verdict made

Chris Sutton believes that it was an odd decision for Rangers to give Philippe Clement a new contract in the summer.

The club made a behind-the-scenes decision to hand the Belgian an extension until the summer of 2028.

After the recent 3-0 loss to Celtic, questions are being asked of him but Sutton does not see the board sacking him.

He told the Daily Record on 2 September: “Clement signing a new contract was such an odd move. The intention seemed to be, in my eyes, to show harmony. But I never understood the upside, other than to try and show everyone is pulling in the same direction.

“My feeling is that Rangers do have to stick with him, until it reaches a point where he’s getting hounded out and thousands are staying away from games. At that stage, it becomes untenable. That’s why this next period is crucial for him and he has to get it right. Both with what he does and, crucially, what he says.”

Philippe Clement needs to improve the fortunes at Rangers soon

The contract decision announcement came a few weeks after there were fears that he could be walking away from the club.

Given the scepticism surrounding his new deal, which was perhaps intended to signal stability and commitment, Clement now needs to use his words to bridge the gap between the board’s faith in him and the fans’ growing doubts.

His statements post-defeat or in upcoming matches will either soothe or inflame fan discontent.

By addressing concerns directly, offering clear insights into his strategy and showing accountability for the team’s performance, the Belgian can start to rebuild trust.

This is vital because, as Sutton noted, without fan support, his position could become untenable.

What Clement says and how he says it could significantly influence the fanbase’s perception, potentially stabilizing his tenure or hastening his exit if not managed carefully.

In other Rangers news, Tom English has torn into a senior figure at the club as a £20m revelation has been made.

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