Philippe Clement gives Celtic crisis the cold shoulder but Rangers boss senses something 'special' is cooking

Philippe Clement watched Rangers storm to the Premiership summit and then declared there’s something special brewing at Ibrox.

The Ibrox boss inherited a team branded duds and no-hopers when he replaced Michael Beale back in October with Gers seven points adrift of Celtic. But he’s masterminded a remarkable turnaround, with his side now out in front by two after a comfortable 3-0 win in Perth. Having already lifted the Viaplay Cup, the Light Blues are now favourites to clinch a remarkable title. And Clement can only see further improvement from a team who have now responded to December’s Old Firm defeat with nine straight wins.

He said: "If I see how they are playing now compared to four months ago, we cannot speak about a beginning because that was the beginning. There is a lot of room for progression. It's clear they all are growing in these past couple of months without exception. We are going to invest a lot with all the staff in them and they invest a lot in themselves and the group because every day everyone is super focused.

“I didn't have any problems with that in these four months - that's the first time in a team I didn't have to smack somebody who is not focused or not motivated. It's a really important thing but they all feel they are in a really special story and it can be a really special one.”

Celtic’s latest slip-up at home to Kilmarnock heaped fresh pressure and expectation on the Ibrox men as they made the drive up the A9 to McDiarmid. But there was no sign of nerves as they swatted Craig Levein’s St Johnstone with a sensational Mohamed Diomande strike and two late James Tavernier penalties.

"We're really busy with (blanking out the expectation and noise) because it's of no use,” said Clement. “We're