Philippe Clement hasn’t been shy in talking about the changes which are required at Rangers this summer.
The Rangers manager has just about done enough to merit the support of the Ibrox faithful heading into next season given some of the circumstances around his appointment.
A League Cup winner’s medal and a sterling run in to the summit of the Scottish Premiership, along with qualification for the Europa League last 16, is enough to keep fans on side.
But a failure to defeat Celtic across four games, and a collapse in the title race which saw Rangers drop points in six of their final ten matches, has heaped the pressure on big time.
With Rangers and Celtic now also level on major trophies, legacy is very much on the line next season.
On Philippe Clement’s head will this summer rest and there can be no room for sentiment as the Belgian sets his sights on the transfer window.
Rangers will look to ‘rebuild’ under Clement in the weeks ahead but the gaffer has been clear that it’s not just the foundations of the playing staff which need reinforced.
Clement wants to make Rangers staff ‘better’
Speaking ahead of the Scottish Premiership draw with Hearts, Rangers manager Clement hinted that changes to his backroom staff were in the offing.
The gaffer talked about needing better ‘delegation’ and now speaking after the clash with Celtic at Hampden, the Rangers boss has once again, without invitation, been bringing up the backroom staff.
Much of this concerns the state of the injury situation at Ibrox, with the club devastated by a series of medical issues across the last two years.
“I know the squad is not at their best now,” said Clement. “Some players are coming out of injury.
“And that you see in these decisive moments. A really fit Sima, a really fit Matondo, they will finish off one of those chances for sure.
“That was not the case.
“I think all the group pushed the last piece of energy out of their body the last couple of weeks.
“Now it’s about rebuilding the squad, making the staff also better around the team.
“To go in a season next season that it cannot happen anymore that we have ten, twelve injuries at the same time.
“So that’s a crucial one. In those moments you need to bring in fresh players who can make the difference and in that way it was difficult (v Celtic).”
Dutch coaching duo target by Rangers
Clement’s comments come as Rangers have been linked with a move for Dutch coach Andries Ulderink.
Ulderink has announced his departure from Belgian side Royal Antwerp, where the 54-year-old was working with legendary ex-Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel.
According to Dutch outlet Voetbal International, Ulderink is set to become Clement’s ‘first assistant’ amid links to the NAC Breda job in the Netherlands.
The Dutch manager has an extensive C.V working with teams from across the Netherlands, including time as head coach of Go Ahead Eagles, de Graafschap and Jong Ajax.
Also taking charge of Ajax Cape Town for two seasons, it is said that Ulderink has ‘impressed’ during his time working in Belgium.
Interestingly, the report claims that Philippe Clement has also targeted John Stegeman as the Rangers manager hunts for a video analyst.
However Dutch coach Stegeman is not expected to make the move to the Rangers Training Centre.
So far only former Belgian international Stephan van der Heyden has been brought into the Rangers backroom staff by Philippe Clement.
Rangers also retained Alex Rae following the club’s interim appointment of Steven Davis, with the Scotsman’s position also set to be assessed at the end of the season.
