Philippe Clement’s Rangers mantra blown apart as potential 17 games in 72 days turns marathon into a sprint

It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Philippe Clement has made use of his favourite cliche so often, the words are in danger of being worn out like a pair of old running gutties.

Time and time again, it’s the phrase the Rangers boss has reached for in a bid to bat away uncomfortable questions about the state of his side’s title race with Celtic, to dampen down rising expectations and ensure his players’ concentration levels remain laser-focused on the next job in hand. The trouble for those of us posing those bothersome enquiries, however, is that we’re likely to continue being faced with the same familiar response if Clement’s pacesetters carry on striding forward as they are.

The Light Blues might be turning for home as they prepare to enter the Premiership’s final straight. With a nine-game dash to the winning line, it’s Rangers with their necks in front by a slender two-point margin. But when it comes to Rangers’ wider ambitions, there could yet be a long, long way to go yet.

To be exact, there remains the possibility that the Light Blues might have to drag themselves through 17 gruelling, leg-sapping fixtures within the space of just 72 days should they somehow find a way to extend this remarkable endurance test of a campaign to both Dublin and Hampden.

It’s a path they’ve tread before and only two years ago too with that thrill ride to Seville and then Scottish Cup glory under Gio van Bronckhorst. Given those recent memories, is it so far-fetched to think Rangers could go all the way again on the continent?

Perhaps not but there are some mighty hurdles yet for the Viaplay Cup winners to overcome this year. Hearts might not seem like one in the Scottish Cup semis given the Tynecastle team have tried and failed to get a