Rangers fans seeing the negatives in beating Celtic tells me Philippe Clement is walking a contradiction – Hugh Keevins

Rangers have lived in the shadow of Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic teams for so long they must have developed a vitamin D deficiency by now. D for domineered.

But after the draw against Spurs in the Europa League and a run of four domestic wins, with 15 goals scored in the process, Philippe Clement today stands on the verge of revising history. A Premier Sports Cup Final win over his greatest rivals would transform the manager from pariah to messiah. And change travesty to majesty where his once- ridiculed set of players are concerned.

Rangers’ AGM two weeks ago offered nothing in the way of an imminent solution to the club’s long-standing problems on and off the park. The menu on offer from the top table at the Armadillo in Glasgow was pie in the sky for the main course with jam tomorrow for pudding. But this afternoon at Hampden is a chance for the club in general, and the manager in particular, to restore their pride and relevance after spending the earlier part of the season diminishing their reputation on the back of risible displays.

Or does it? I sat beside a Rangers shareholder at a charity lunch 10 days ago. A lifelong fan and a man of substantial means who was as sensible as they come.

His considered point of view was that a Rangers win at the national stadium could actually be seen in a negative light. Because it would guarantee Clement remaining in office until the end of the season.

When a Rangers win over Celtic can be seen in anything other that a positive perspective you know Philippe is a walking contradiction in the eyes of his club’s support. But, whether it is positive, negative or a source of perplexity that passes beyond human understanding, one thing’s for sure.

A win for Clement is infinitely better than