Philippe Clement admits that there were a couple of Fabio Silva moments against Celtic which left him reeling.
But the Rangers manager has also leapt to the defence of the under-fire 21-year-old forward who has been the subject of much bleating following the weekend’s 3-3 draw.
Fabio Silva didn’t win many friends with his on-pitch theatrics against Celtic, even Rangers fans believing such antics are unbecoming of one of their players.
The situation with Silva’s overturned yellow card for simulation, VAR replays instead showing the Portuguese to be blatantly fouled by Alistair Johnston, has also drawn much criticism.
But for Philippe Clement, this is just another example of Fabio Silva’s development in the game as the £35m Wolves loanee finds his feet in Glasgow.
Philippe Clement jumps to defence of Fabio Silva
Philippe Clement has proven himself a strong man manager in the early part of his Rangers tenure.
The Belgian boss speaks with an authority, calm and balance which enforces his diplomatic and fair approach to analysis and pressure.
But when it comes to Fabio Silva, the Rangers manager is not having the pile on over his first ever Ibrox signing, claiming that the Portuguese forward was kicked from pillar to post against the Parkhead side.
The Rangers does however agree that certain moments of exaggeration are not welcome and admits that he’s spoken to the striker.
Encouraging Fabio Silva to learn from the situation, Philippe Clement has given the forward his backing.
“It is not justified in everything because I see that some people with coloured glasses throw everything on the same pile,” said Clement.
“But there were two actions which I was not happy with him about and I show him today also about that. He should have been stronger in the duel and he was not strong enough.
“And in other moments he got really kicked. He’s also got two really deep marks in his calves after this game, cuts from the studs. There were a few actions where he could go down because there was a severe tackle or duel, and two where there were not that I’ve talked to him about.
“So don’t start to create now – and this is what people on the other side try to do – a sort of narrative around him because he’s not been doing that in other games. He was in the beginning an emotional young guy. Yes, he’s 21, but it’s getting better and better. He has two actions that I was not happy with him. I spoke to him about it so it will not happen in the future.
“For him it was also his first Old Firm. It’s the first time in this situation so those are normal things. He will become stronger out of this. We had a really good talk. I showed him the images, he understands. This is again an evolution for him as a player and as a person also, to become stronger. Those are the interesting lessons.”
Rangers striker must heed Celtic lesson
Fabio Silva has been the subject of much Celtic-led criticism in the wake of the draw with Rangers.
Chris Sutton accused the striker of “cheating” in his commentary, so much so that is sparked a feud with Graeme Souness.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers also claimed that the Rangers striker’s initial yellow card for “simulation” was the right call.
Despite this, there is a near uniform agreement from the referees’ union that the penalty call was the right one and that Rangers, not Celtic, perhaps have greater cause for frustration.
Cyriel Dessers’ disallowed goal was very much a contentious decision, with VAR pulling the game back for an earlier foul despite John Beaton adjudging it fair on the park.
But as Philippe Clement says, let this be a lesson to Fabio Silva.
The forward’s ingenuity and physicality can be a weapon for Rangers in this fixture and if Silva wants to get one over the Parkhead side, he needs to stick the ball in the net.
