As Kemar Roofe’s lucrative Rangers contract ticks closer to completion, Philippe Clement is giving nothing away when it comes to the striker.
There are some serious questions over whether Kemar Roofe has justified the sizeable transfer fee and wages since joining Rangers in the summer of 2020.
Signing a reported £4.5m deal from Anderlecht, the Jamaican international has endured an injury-plagued four years at Ibrox interspersed with moments of ruthless quality.
An instinctive, sharp penalty box striker whose attacking intelligence is of Premier League quality, in ordinary circumstances a new Kemar Roofe contract is a no brainer.
But – and we don’t have to tell you this – the circumstances are anything but ordinary.
Kemar Roofe almost ready to play 90 minutes
As we head into the final furlong of a yet another season plagued by injury for Kemar Roofe, finally the striker is hobbling back to full fitness.
At least that’s according to Philippe Clement, who claims the 31-year-old hitman is almost ready to play 90 minutes.
This comes with Clement leaving both Kemar Roofe and Kieran Dowell out of the selection for the 3-1 win over Hibs despite both players being fit.
“He’s getting better and better, but, of course, he comes from a long way back,” said Clement. “And there’s competition. There are also other players.
“So it’s about him giving his best, which he has been doing in training, and raising his levels. He comes from far away because he hasn’t played too many minutes this season.
“Physically (he is nearly ready to play 90 minutes), yes, but there’s also competition from other players. That way it’s a positive thing. I start to get headaches again about making decisions. But it’s only a positive thing for the club I think.”
Kemar Roofe has only made 98 appearances for Rangers across four seasons, scoring 38 goals.
Philippe Clement swerves Rangers contract question
The situation has naturally led to much conversation surrounding the future of Kemar Roofe, who is out of contract at Ibrox in the summer.
There is scant justification for a contract extension as things stand, and you just know if Roofe moves on he’ll tear things up elsewhere, but Philippe Clement is clear a decision is yet to be made.
“There’s no reason to talk about anything,” he said. “Because you can say it’s close or it’s far away. But you can never really talk about that.
“It’s close when it’s signed. When it’s not signed? Is it close or is it far? So there’s no reason to talk about those things until there’s an agreement.”
If Kemar Roofe – who is highly rated by Philippe Clement – can prove his fitness in the final furlong of the season, then you never know.
But going by the same Sod’s Law which almost guarantees Roofe’s success elsewhere, within a week of signing a new contract you can bet your bottom dollar that the Jamaican pulls up with another problem.
Interestingly, these Kemar Roofe contract comments are in stark contrast to Philippe Clement’s response when asked about the contract situation of John Lundstram.
The Belgian is very clear he wants the midfielder to sign a new deal, but was a lot more coy when it comes to Kemar.
