Philippe Clement craves Rangers contract guarantee as in-demand target seeks long term commitment

Philippe Clement wants a long term commitment from Rangers if he is to agree to become the next Ibrox boss after seeing the Light Blues board pull the trigger early on Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Michael Beale, Record Sport can reveal.

The Belgian is understood to have concerns over how short term the Ibrox reigns were of both Van Bronckhorst and Beale who lasted just 12 months and 10 months respectively. Clement was sacked himself after 18 months in charge of Monaco and has been out of work since. And he is looking for a longer term guarantee if he opts to move to the Scottish Premiership. He has also held talks with Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Shabab and the latest reports in the Middle East claim they want to steal a march on Rangers and "quickly complete" the appointment of the Belgian.

That is why the 49-year-old wants a longer term deal but the Rangers board are also conscious of the cost of paying off their last two appointments. They have been forced to shell out hefty compensation packages to both Van Bronckhorst and Beale and their coaching staff after they joined on three-and-a-half year deals. The Ibrox hierarchy are continuing with their search for Beale’s successor and Kevin Muscat also remains in the frame although it’s understood Clement is top choice and agreeing on a length of deal could be key to final negotiations.

It's almost two weeks now since the axe fell on Beale after a defeat to Aberdeen at home and Steven Davis has taken caretaker charge of the team for the Europa League tie with Aris Limassol and Scottish Premiership trip to St Mirren. The next match is at home to Hibs on October 21.

Davis said after leading the side to a 3-0 win over the Buddies: “I don’t know what tomorrow holds for me to