The Rangers revelation Philippe Clement aired about an Ibrox director is no surprise and here's why

Philippe Clement's revelation in Portugal about one of Rangers’ directors suggesting domestic silverware might be more important than Europe didn’t come as much of a surprise.

Plenty of fans are fully on board with the notion. It’s understandable. Rangers have not exactly stockpiled major trophies on the home front in the last decade and each one of them is special. This season could be heading for a spectacular conclusion when at one point it looked a write-off. The fact Clement is on the trail of a Treble almost defies physics. But he’s bang in the hunt now and a clean sweep would go down as one of the club’s greatest achievements.

Then there is Europe. It’s almost seen as a bit of fun but there’s a potential for it to get in the way of the league and Scottish Cup charge. Everyone knows it can be a problem. Already a few players are starting to look like their tanks are running on empty. Poor John Lundstram has been a Duracell bunny this season but the other night in Lisbon he staggered off like he’d done a marathon with a caravan on his back. It does take its toll. But that doesn’t mean Europe should be treated like a Brucey bonus. We need to get out of this mindset in Scotland. If we are to be treated like a proper football nation we need our sides to be cutting it on the continent.

It’s just as well Rangers have been doing their bit. Sure, the Champions League campaign last year was a pants-down job but no one can poke holes in their Europa League exploits. Across the city, Celtic had a free run at the Champions League for a decade but did the square root of naff all with it.

Six group stage appearances in 14 years and no knockout wins since Joe Biden was a nipper is a serious embarrassment. Meanwhile, Rangers have