Philippe Clement theory debunked by Rangers rivals and board moving the goalposts is excuse that just doesn't wash

Philippe Clement has acknowledged he is out of credit.

The Belgian is spot on because, quite simply, Rangers can’t go on like this. If there isn’t a drastic improvement then incoming chairman Lord Offord and new chief executive Patrick Stewart will have a big call to make, before they have even got their feet under the desk.

Social media was awash on Sunday evening that Clement had mutually agreed to leave Rangers. The claim was quickly shot down by the Rangers board but there weren’t too many tears being shed by the Light Blue legions when the notion was initially floated. Clement is right, whatever credit he had in the bank last season has been well and truly wiped out. He is reduced to running in the red. If domestic results continue as they are then surely it is only a matter of time before the Ibrox hierarchy has to make that call.

Rangers have three Premiership games coming up before the Premier Sports Cup final and anything less than maximum points would prove fatal. They gave him a new contract earlier this season. People argue Rangers maybe financially don’t want to sack him.

But the bottom line is that if domestic results continue like this then can they afford not to? Yes, another decent European result this week would be Nice but it wouldn’t do anything other than paper over the cracks. Rangers, ironically, are well placed in Europe after wins over Malmo and Steaua Bucharest and a draw away to Olympiacos.

There is no doubt if Nice fancy it then they, like Lyon, will be a class above and anything taken here would be a bonus. Runs in Europe are important to Rangers but the bread and butter is the domestic game and right now the Light Blues are miles behind Celtic on the pitch, off the pitch and in the table.

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