Philippe Clement declares Rangers CAN beat Celtic as boss takes confidence from 'close' battles

Philippe Clement believes his Rangers team can go-toe-to-toe with Celtic and reckons his new recruits have what it takes to handle the occasion.

Clement failed to win in any of his clashes with Brendan Rodgers' Hoops in the previous campaign, losing three and drawing one of their four encounters. That sole draw came in a dramatic 3-3 scoreline at Ibrox where Rabbi Matondo rescued a point for the Gers right at the death. A few weeks later, Celtic claimed a narrow 1-0 win in the Scottish Cup final, with Adam Idah popping up with a last minute winner just as it looked like extra-time would be required to separate the sides.

And speaking after his team warmed up for the first Old Firm meeting of the season at Parkhead next Sunday by putting Ross County to the sword with a 6-0 hammering at Hampden, Belgian boss Clement sees no reason why his men cannot take the game to the champions, despite next week's clash being the first taste of the fixture for his new summer signings.

He said: "We were close at Ibrox and again in the Scottish Cup Final. The difference in the cup final was one action where they were efficient and we weren’t. We had the same chances and possession that day.

"OK, I know this will be a new game for a few of our guys and I’m curious to see who they’re going to react to playing in an Old Firm game for the first time. But that can be a positive for us.

"The likes of Connor Barron and Jefte have had exams in the last few weeks and passed them. So I expect them to do it there also.”