Clement airs Rangers lesson to consider about a £30m striker who triggered furious coach to claim his granny was better

Fans might not want to hear it. When their manager says new players need time to adapt. Patience isn’t usually a supporter’s strong point.

But whether they like it or not, Philippe Clement knows it’s true. And he’s got the evidence to prove it. The Rangers gaffer is still trying to integrate several new signings at Ibrox after a summer of upheaval. Their progress has been slower than the Light Blue legions would want but the Belgian boss can see improvement. In midweek, the 6-0 hammering of Kilmarnock was their most impressive domestic display of the season. Youngsters like Jefte and Hamza Igamane – who arrived in July – are beginning to come into their own.

But others, like experienced Dutch defender Robin Propper, are still trying to get used to Scottish football. Clement is adamant they’ll all come good for Rangers IF they’re given the time they need. Because he’s seen it before, at Club Brugge when he was their Under-21’s coach.

Colombian striker Carlos Bacca was once an unknown quantity and looked out of his depth. But Clement persevered and eventually he became Brugge’s best player and a £30million superstar who shone for Sevilla, AC Milan and Villarreal.

Clement knows you don’t get much time at the Old Firm. But he’s pleading with punters to trust the process. He said: “It’s challenging for some more than others. It depends where you’ve come from and your personality. Robin has only been in the building for three months – we can’t forget that. So it’s a natural process. We had Bacca at Brugge when I was Under-21 coach.

“I was in a meeting with the scouts and a coach burst into the room, angry and pointing his finger. I will never forget this. He said: ‘Which one of you bought this player and said he was good?