The Gers boss sat down with the media at this afternoon’s pre-match press conference and provided an update on the players who returned from international duty, including Neraysho Kasanwirjo who picked-up an injury while playing for the Netherlands under 21s.
Clement said: “We are in contact with Feyenoord about that. He is going to have an appointment with a surgeon today so we will have more news during the weekend but it for sure is a longer-term injury.
“It is now about seeing what the precise problem is and talking with Feyenoord about where to do the operation and the rehab, so we are in negotiations with them about that.
“It is really hard because he was adapting really well to the club, to the mentality here, he showed good things in the games and in training and he was showing the right quality for Rangers, so it is a big blow for all of us that he is injured.”
When asked if he was looking for a performance from his side as well as the result tomorrow, Clement continued: “We want both a result and a performance, of course, that was the disappointment after the Hearts game also where you play a good first-half, create a lot of chances, and almost don’t give anything away.
“I want to see that we keep on pushing and that we make the difference earlier in the game that we don't need to fight until the last second because the other team stays in the game so that we need to improve.”
With another two impressive performances for Scotland over the international period, Clement was asked about John Souttar and his displays of late. He continued: “John is one of the boys who learns a lot because he is so hungry to become better.
“He is one of the examples in that way, staying after training and working on his weaker points. That is what we have seen in the past year, he was not that kind of player a year ago and if he continues like this with the same mentality then he will only grow in the next couple of years also.
“It is important that he gets this praise he gets now for Scotland that will help his confidence also and to become a better and better player. I think it is good for Rangers and good for Scottish football.
Reflecting on the international period and working with the players back at the training centre, Clement continued: “Connor Barron had a really good experience with all the experienced guys and being in that environment, learning out of that. Of course, he wants to get minutes but those steps will be made in the near future for sure.
“Ianis has also played 90 minutes which was also an important thing for us and Nedim and Vaclav both played well and came back well.
“It is always important to work with the players here as individuals, of course as a team it is difficult when you have so many players away but we also played a friendly game so that was important for them. It is always a good period, every day is a good period because we want to make the players better and it is about looking at what every player needs.”