Philippe Clement tells Rangers to break Celtic cycle as he reveals what has been missing in past derbies

Philippe Clement knew how to pick his moments as a player.

And the Rangers boss could really do with his team finally figuring out how to grasp theirs when opportunity knocks against Celtic. The Ibrox gaffer was the no-nonsense type during his days as hard-nosed centre-half back in Belgium. And when it came to national cup finals, it was mostly a hassle free affair too.

Played five, won four was the former Genk and Club Brugge defender’s not-so-shabby record in Belgian showpieces. It’s the kind of success rate his current club could only wish for in their jousts with their city neighbours. Rangers will head to Hampden for Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final looking to end a woeful run that has seen them win just one of the last 11 derbies. In the three Clement has overseen, Rangers haven’t so much played a part in their own downfall as taken on the lead role in gifting Celtic a hat-trick of vital results that in large part ensured the Parkhead side retained their Premiership title.

Be it slapdash defending, feeble finishing or dodgy discipline, Rangers have only had themselves to blame for letting their chance at a league crown slip. They’ve got one last go at their old rivals this season when they walk out at the National Stadium on Saturday afternoon. And Clement is hoping this time, they’re not caught in the moment. “It’s my first chance to win this in Scotland,” said the Gers gaffer.

“I know the feeling of winning a cup. It’s always special games. As an assistant manager I also managed to win a cup with Michel Preud’homme. That was the first trophy for Brugge after 12 or 13 years. It’s a special day because it’s one moment. That’s the nice thing about it – it’s the last game of the season. So it’s all or nothing in that