'Security blanket' - Journalist hits out at Clement & Souness after Rangers excuses v Celtic

Michael Gannon has accused Philippe Clement and Graeme Souness of clutching at the possession stats like a “security blanket” after Rangers lost 3-0 to Celtic on Sunday (1 September).

Unanswered goals from Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi and Callum McGregor saw the Hoops take all three points from the Old Firm derby at Celtic Park, taking a five-point gap from the Gers.

Clement is now under heavy pressure at Ibrox, with the manager suggesting that the result could have been 3-3 on another day [The National], while Souness claimed the stats told a much fairer outcome.

Writing for the Daily Record on Wednesday (4 September), Gannon said: “Clement and Graeme Souness clutched the possession stats like a security blanket afterwards, with Celtic only marginally winning that particularly irrelevant battle 53 per cent to 47.”

Rangers can have no excuses after Celtic defeat

Clement is under growing pressure to perform at Ibrox, with the Scottish Premiership title the holy grail for the Gers, so it is clear why he is currently clutching at straws.

The Light Blues were defeated 3-0 at Celtic Park, and while they did have chances to hit the back of the net, Brenden Rodgers’ men took their chances and won all three points.

Many fans feel that the manager has been making excuses, especially given the Gers have won just one of the last 12 meetings against their Old Firm rivals, something that cannot continue if he wants success.

The Gers had the chance last season to lift just their second league title in the previous decade, though a massive drop in form saw the Hoops swoop in and make it three Championships in a row.

Despite the obvious gulf between the two sides, especially in terms of financial availability, Clement has the talent to defeat Celtic, and Rodgers’ side are not invincible. He must beat them to win the league.

In other Rangers news, Ally McCoist has shared a Gers to Premier League verdict with Jeff Stelling.

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