Rangers lacking crucial characteristic as searingly honest Cyriel Dessers tells truth about leadership

The Ibrox jury has long but reached a verdict on the future of Philippe Clement as Rangers boss.

Anyone within hearing distance of Edmiston Drive on Saturday afternoon would have again realised that as the Belgian’s side were condemned to another brutal defeat by St Mirren. But Cyriel Dessers admits the case for the players under Clement’s charge is still very much ongoing - and in need of some evidence to prove they deserve a future at the club.

Dessers has no doubt his team mates have the quality to play for Rangers. But the striker insists it takes more than technical ability alone to reach the top. Fingers are being pointed at the mentality and strength of Clement’s squad after a season that all but ended on a domestic level before the middle of February.

The humiliating Scottish Cup exit to Queen’s Park was thought to have been rock bottom. But Saturday’s spineless defeat to a St Mirren side that were hungrier, stronger and better all across the park was deemed even worse by the manager himself.

Clement appears to be a dead man walking with only a Europa League last 16 clash with Fenerbahce left to bring any potential joy to a season that has lurched from bad to worse.

Not for the first time this season the fans unloaded on the man in the dug out at full-time of the defeat to the Buddies. But while the Light Blues loyal have long since made their mind up on the boss, Dessers admits the players under his charge also need to prove they deserve a future at Ibrox.

He said: “It’s a hard one. These players showed already they belong at a club like Rangers. All of them have the quality to be at a club like Rangers. But it’s more than quality alone. Quality is also showing it on a consistent basis, twice a week, I think