Philippe Clement reveals road to Rangers cost him his WIFE as he opens up on football obsession that led to divorce

Philippe Clement admits his desire for success in football cost him his first marriage.

But the new Rangers boss insists it’s his passion for the beautiful game which can rekindle the spark at Ibrox. Clement takes over a side whose relationship with the support is badly in need of some TLC after a rocky start to the campaign that brought about Michael Beale’s departure.

The Belgian got off to a winning start against Hibs on Saturday. And he knows delivering victories at home and abroad are the only way to satisfy the lust of the Light Blue legions. The next test comes on Thursday in Prague as Rangers look to get their Europa League campaign back on track.

And asked how important Europe was in his grand plan, Clement said: “I don’t set priorities because I am someone who wants to win always. It’s the way I am. I had a lot of fights with my ex-wife about that. It was because of football. When my children were small and we were playing games, I never let them win – it’s against my nature. You need to deserve to win. You can’t get it like a present – not even small children. If you do, you don’t create the right mentality.

“My wife didn’t think the same. In the end, we separated when I stopped playing football and wanted to become manager. She wanted a normal life, with weekends and more time. She knew that would not be the case so we separated.”

Normal certainly isn’t what awaits Clement at Ibrox. But six years as a manager with Genk, Club Brugge and latterly Monaco has prepared him for the demands of a support expecting success at home and abroad.

Arriving mid-season to a squad of players struck down by injuries and lacking confidence is nothing new to the 49-year-old, who boasts three successive title wins from his