Kemar Roofe earns unwavering Rangers backing as Diomande seeks counsel over huge career call – Inside Ibrox

It's been a while since Rangers’ Roofe was on fire.

But Philippe Clement reckons there is still time for Kemar to climb off the casualty list and provide the spark which ignites a title party round Ibrox. The Gers boss has seen for himself what a fully fit and functioning Roofe is capable of. That was back in 2019 when the big Belgian was still managing Club Brugge and the former Leeds striker had just joined Anderlecht in a £7million deal. Six goals in his first 13 games boded well for Clement’s title rivals.

But as has been the case in Glasgow, Roofe proved to have a frustrating habit of breaking down just when it appeared his scoring instincts were about to burn hot. Think back to his League Cup semi-final winner against Aberdeen at Hampden last season - after which he would register just 66 more minutes of action that term. Or his crucial strike in Seville that saw the Light Blues stun Real Betis to finish top of their Europa League section.

In the three and a half months since he’s managed just one start which lasted barely quarter of an hour before he picked up another knock and a handful of substitute appearances.

He’s back fit now but wasn’t even considered for action ahead of Saturday’s 3-1 win over Hibs, with Clement admitting he needs to get fitter before he can force his way back in. The Ibrox boss, however, would love to have someone with Roofe’s undoubted scoring instincts available for this weekend’s all-important derby showdown with Celtic.

“He’s always been a natural goalscorer,” the Gers gaffer said. “He’s someone who’s really hungry to score goals and who is really active in the box and who works hard for the team also. It was the same way in Belgium.

“He’s getting better and better but of course he