Rangers boss Philippe Clement is the first “heavyweight” manager Brendan Rodgers has faced as Celtic manager, according to Hugh Keevins.
Writing for the Daily Record (22 October), Keevins praised Clement’s track record as a manager, which could usher in Rodgers’ toughest time in Glasgow in either of his stints.
Clement’s impressive debut in the dugout on Saturday (21 October) saw Rangers beat Hibernian 4-0 at Ibrox in one of the side’s best performances of the season.
Keevins wrote: “Rangers have taken a financial gamble because they believe they have invested in a man of substance. And this is where, starting today, Brendan Rodgers comes into the equation.
“The Belgian is the first heavyweight opponent Brendan has had to face as Celtic manager – the first time out or the Second Coming. When the ref blows his whistle at Tynecastle at 2:15 pm today it will signal the start of arguably the toughest week in Rodgers’ life at Celtic.
“But now it looks different. Clement has the appearance of someone with a back story of managerial success in Belgium unable to be dismissed at first glance
Keevins seemingly rates Clement above Ibrox’s recent tenants. He is most likely referring to Clement’s proven track record of winning league titles – something the likes of Steven Gerrard and Michael Beale had no experience in at all as a player or a manager.
While Clement is not exactly in the echelon of Pep Guardiola or Carlo Ancelotti, his emphatic start to life at Ibrox is a clear message to Celtic.
Clement knows what it takes to win a title, a Belgian title at least. As a player and a manager, he lifted five Belgian top-flight titles, most notably for Rangers fans would be his back-to-back-to-back title haul between 2018 and 2021, one with Genk and two with Club Brugge.
A title is not on the cards this season unless Celtic slip up in the league, the Ibrox faithful will be praying that the Belgian is the answer to their prayers and the man who can break the rut of Celtic’s domestic dominance.
Nethertheless, Rodgers will be keeping more than an eye on the goings-on at Ibrox.
