Under-pressure Philippe Clement in sports science U-turn and insists makes the big calls at Rangers

Uunder-fire Philippe Clement insists HE has the final say on picking his Rangers team as he defended his disastrous festive squad rotation.

The beleaguered Belgian appeared to perform a U-turn as he shot down his own admission the sports science department made the decision to rest in-form duo Vaclav Cerny and Hamza Igamane as more points were spilled against Motherwell on the back of defeat to St Mirren – that’s left Gers a massive 14 points behind Celtic going into Thursday’s Old Firm showdown.

Clement also revealed a huge defensive blow with skipper James Tavernier OUT of the clash and centre back Leon Bologun a major doubt. The Ibrox gaffer has come under fire for admitting he left out two of his top men due to tiredness having previously admitted he goes on the advice of club boffins when it comes to fitness.

But Clement said: “People sometimes make conclusions that the sports (science) department makes the decisions about the team. That’s totally not the case. It's not that I follow everything to the letter. I've been pushing players above this limit and I take the risk at that moment. If the players get injured, it's my responsibility in that way.

"And I did it several times this season, last season, the years before in other teams. But it's just the normal way of working for everybody.

“It was the really, really only sensible decision to make for this game. Would I love to start with them every game like they're playing for the moment? Yes, of course I would love to do that.

“So I'm not stupid to not do that. It's in the benefit of the club, of the team and of the players themselves. But now, apparently, that's the reason why we did not win the game against Motherwell. It's not the case.”

Clement insisted he