Philippe Clement claims his players are united despite another disappointing draw

In December 2024, Rangers Football Club, managed by Philippe Clement, encountered a severe defensive crisis ahead of their crucial match against Celtic in Scotland. This issue arose after the team's captain, James Tavernier, was sidelined by injury, joining other central defenders John Souttar and Neraysho Kasanwirjo on the sidelines. With Leon Balogun also struggling to regain fitness, Clement was left with limited options to reinforce his backline. This situation was especially concerning given the team's previous poor performance against Celtic, where they conceded six goals across two meetings earlier in the season. Despite the mounting defensive casualties, Philippe Clement remained unperturbed about his future with the club. He expressed confidence that the board maintained support for him, highlighting that past mistakes were a product of the players' performance rather than managerial decisions. He acknowledged that recent results had not been favorable, leading to disappointment among fans and stakeholders. Additionally, Clement pointed out that neglecting to make defensive adjustments led to costly mistakes in matches against St Mirren and Motherwell, where opportunities slipped away and points were dropped. In terms of strategy, Clement decided to take risks for the match against Celtic by fielding a makeshift defense. The implications of this decision were twofold: it demonstrated his determination to adapt under pressure while also risking further fallout if the team's struggles continued. Critics highlighted his team's tendency to concede avoidable goals and questioned whether these issues reflected deeper problems within the squad or were merely the product of difficult circumstances. With Clement's reputation on the line and the team's performance scrutinized, the upcoming fixture held significant implications for both morale and the club's standing in the league. As the match approached, the emphasis on a collective response from the players became paramount. Clement stated that recent results did not reflect the potential he saw in his players, which suggested that improvement could be on the horizon if the team rallied together. However, questions lingered about whether his tactical changes would yield the desired results against an arch-rival side that had historically dominated previous encounters.