Rangers players told to 'fit in or f*** off' after Philippe Clement board backing as ex SPFL boss issues warning

Martin Bartley reckons Rangers players will have to fit in under Philippe Clement at Ibrox or “f*** off”.

The former Hibs and Livingston midfielder and Queen of the South boss sent that message out on social media after the Light Blues announced the unexpected news that the Belgian had extended his contract until at least the summer of 2028 on the eve of their Scottish Premiership opener against Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday.

It’s a clear sign of the club’s backing of of the 50-year-old former Genk, Club Brugge and Monaco boss who succeeded Michael Beale during last season. Despite hauling Rangers back into a title race that they looked dead buried in, Clement still came in for some criticism towards the end of last season for the way they ran out of steam on the final stretch as they gave up a title advantage and lost the Scottish Cup final to Celtic.

Todd Cantwell has also handed in a transfer request this summer but Bartley believes Cantwell and others will simply have to accept Clement or move on. He said on X: “This makes perfect sense from the club! Players now know it’s ‘Fit in or f**k off’ time!!!!!”

Clement insists he shares a great relationship with the Ibrox board after penning his new deal. He said: “My relationship with the board has always been really aligned and transparent. It’s not that we hear each other every week. I’ve heard the chairman a lot more in the last couple of weeks because James (Bisgrove) has left the club and the chairman took over some duties. But in every meeting we have you feel the passion and desire to make this club better and that’s the same for me.

“I’ve fallen in love with this club, with the fans, the stadium, the city - everything here - I see huge potential but we need to