Clement Wants Energy And Enthusiasm From His Side

MANAGER Philippe Clement wants energy and enthusiasm from his side as he takes charge of his first Old Firm derby tomorrow afternoon.

Rangers travel to Parkhead for the first time in the Scottish Premiership season, currently 16 games unbeaten under Clement. 

The Gers boss knows a win would give the squad another boost, but insists full focus is on continuing the recent positive momentum.

Speaking to the media at this afternoon’s pre-match press conference, he said: “I know it is about three points and it is of course a boost at that moment but then three days later you need to confirm the boost.

“I have seen in the past in my team or in other teams that people get an incredible boost and an incredible performance and then three days later they don't perform any more. 

“It is about three points and on Tuesday again it is about three points so game by game and that is the story we need to do. 

“That is the way to win things long term and not to be living from moment to moment. We go every game for the three points with all our energy, with all our enthusiasm and with our qualities.” 

Clement was asked about the fitness of Connor Goldson and said he will assess his squad tomorrow ahead of the fixture. 

He continued: “We will see tomorrow, and it is like that with all the squad, there were a couple of others.  It is normal this period so I did some things in training, not too much, and I will make my decision tomorrow after watching back the training and speaking to the Doc and the medical staff.

“We are not going to risk losing players for the rest of the season, so it is better to make the assessment tomorrow and then it is clear.

“We are in a marathon, the players are progressing, their stride is getting better and better, and their tempo is getting better and better. We need to continue that way and that is our next step in this marathon of 38 games in the league.” 

On taking to the dugout for the first time in an Old Firm derby, Clement continued: “I am curious to be honest, because everybody has been talking about this already for a long time. A lot of people are saying it is a game that is like nowhere else in the world. It is that atmosphere, so I am curious about that.

“It is a pity for football that we won’t have any fans,  I think it is always better to have two sides. It also creates a certain atmosphere. 

“I try to control the things that I can and the things we can do as a team with my staff, with the players and the rest is not important, we are not focused on that we are focused on our football and the game.” 

With Clement already adding to his squad ahead of the January transfer window opening, he said he was delighted to welcome Fabio Silva into the group.

He continued: “I am happy because he hasn’t played too many minutes this season, so we need time to get him into a good shape, although his tests were quite good for the minutes he played. 

“I see somebody who has been working on himself, on his physical abilities so that is already positive, that is also what we got out of the talks we had with him about his ambitions and about our ambitions also and I think it is a really clear sign from the club that players with that reputation and quality want to come to Rangers.

“He is very motivated, and it is going to be interesting to integrate him into the team and in that way, it is important that he comes early so that we can give him a programme during his winter break and afterwards he will come with us to the training camp.”


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