Philippe Clement facing acid Rangers test as Barry Ferguson insists pressure is on to do what predecessors couldn't

Philippe Clement is facing the acid test as Rangers manager and Barry Ferguson insists the pressure is to do what his predecessors failed to is well and truly on.

The Belgian suffered defeat in his only derby game in charge of the Light Blues so far, going down 2-1 at Parkhead in December. But things have tightened right up since then, with Gers only one point behind Celtic with a game in hand, and know all three points at Ibrox on Sunday would set them up to go five points clear by beating Dundee in midweek.

But as both Gio van Bronckhorst and Michael Beale found out to their cost, failure to pick up maximum points in these games can be fatal to a Rangers manager's job security. The Dutchman failed to to beat the Hoops on league business and while Beale did record a win, last season's 3-0 triumph came after the title had already been wrapped up by Ange Postecoglou's men.

And despite the marked improvement in Rangers since Clement came in, it will count for little if he can't win the biggest game of all when it truly matters. "He's not managed to beat Celtic yet and this is the acid test for him on Sunday," Ferguson told GO Radio.

"There's going to be a fair bit of pressure on him and he certainly knows, if Rangers want to go places, they need to start winning on the bit occasions. And there's no bigger come Sunday. Whoever wins that takes a giant step towards the title in my eyes.

Pressed on whether it's winner takes all in terms of the league crown, Ferguson replied: "I'm more cautious. There's still a few games to go after Sunday.

"There could be a slip up. You don't know in terms of suspensions or injuries. You just never know."