Philippe Clement insists Rangers will go ‘flat out’ against Celtic

Posted Sunday, August 25, 2024 by PA

Philippe Clement insists Rangers will not park the bus at Celtic Park next week as he enjoyed the morale-boosting 6-0 win over Ross County at Hampden Park.

Cyriel Dessers and Rabbi Matondo both grabbed doubles in the convincing William Hill Premiership win over the Staggies and there were also goals for midfielder Tom Lawrence and substitute attacker Danilo.

Full focus next week turns to the first Old Firm game of the season with the last meeting taking place at the national stadium in May where the champions beat Rangers 1-0 in the Scottish Cup final with a last-minute strike by Adam Idah.

Clement has a draw and three defeats in his four games against Celtic but has belief in his side.

He said: “We’re going to work hard this week with everybody to be ready for that game.

“To go hard to take the three points like we do against every opponent. I hope also to get a few signings in this week.

“So maybe they have one training or two trainings or no training before that game. So maybe I cannot even use them in that way.

“And I’m focused also on the rest of the season. Not only this one game that comes.

“But we’re going to prepare in the ultimate best way to be competitive in that game and to go full out for the three points.

“Not to sit and park the bus in front of goal and to hope that something falls out of the sky. No, we’re going to go flat out.”

Asked what gives him belief that he can strike the first blow in the Old Firm battle for the title, Clement said: “Because we were really close last season. We were really close at Ibrox (3-3). We were really close in the cup final.

“The difference in the cup final was that they were efficient in one action and we were not. We had the same chances, we had the same possession also.

“So, OK, I know it will be a new game for a few guys. And I’m curious now how they’re going to react the first time to play an Old Firm game. But I’m also really positive about that.

“If you speak about Jefte and Connor Barron – although Connor played there, but it’s a different kind of game with Aberdeen – those are also two guys who in the last couple of weeks have had a few exams for the first time and have taken it really good.

“So I expect them to do it there also. And the other guys will have more experience in those kind of games.”

Reports claimed that MLS side Atlanta United had made a $6million (£4.6m) bid for Dessers, who has scored five goals in six games this season, but Clement stressed his importance to the club.

He said: “We talk with the board about if a bid comes for a player, if we can let him go or not.

“We can only let players go if for the amount, you can find better. Or you can find two for example, one in the same position and one in another position.

“Otherwise you work backwards. That’s not the idea. So clearly for him there hasn’t been a bid that was enough to let him go. And he’s also somebody who loves to stay. He loves to play for Rangers.”

County boss Don Cowie, whose side were knocked out of the Premier Sports Cup by League Two Spartans last weekend, backed his team to bounce back against Aberdeen at home next week.

When asked if he was worried about the confidence levels of the players, he said: “No, not at all. Because you can lose games of football, it happens.

“It’s how you respond and react to that. You don’t want to get into a habit of doing it. But this club has shown time and time again that if you lose games of football, you react and go again. That’s what we’ll do next week.

“Really disappointed. When you give a good team space and time to hurt you, they’ll do that.”