Philippe Clement might not have to worry about Rangers’ recent history in Paisley.
But the Ibrox gaffer reckons he’s got plenty to be concerned about as his side gear up for a Boxing Day brawl with Stephen Robinson’s street-smart St Mirren. On the whole, Gers have largely managed to steer clear of trouble on their short journeys along the M8 to face the Buddies in recent times.
Since first making the trip to the Smisa Stadium back in 2009, they’ve lost just twice from 19 encounters at Saints’ new home. Clement won twice there last year himself after replacing Michael Beale but neither were comfortable occasions as they edged both thanks to a couple of winners from Cyriel Dessers. And the Belgian knows his side will have to be up for another festive fight this week. “Yes we know that,” he said. “It’s a team with lots of physicality and a manager who always prepares his team really well to go into the fight and to work hard for the club.
"We know it’s going to be a tough battle there and we’ll need to compete in that battle, to win that battle. And then you can show your football quality. If you don’t win your duels against St Mirren, you’ll get into trouble.”
Thankfully for Clement, his side have rediscovered their fighting spirit in recent weeks. With the fit-again Nico Raskin adding a combative streak to the midfield, Gers have scrapped their way back above Aberdeen into second place and given Celtic’s Premiership lead a trim back to nine points. It’s still far too early to say if they can make this a proper slug fest for the title but Clement is just pleased he at last has the warriors needed to give it a go.
Asked if his men were now feeling more comfortable having adjusted to the Premiership’s physical nature, he
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