Philippe Clement honest on ‘reality’ of Celtic being better than last term as Rangers boss gets excuses in early

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Philippe Clement has been full of excuses as Rangers manager following previous Celtic wins over his side.

The Ibrox boss has had his fair share of wacky post-match interviews from derby days.

Clement launched into a bizarre rant after losing to Celtic in last season’s Scottish Cup Final and his expected goals moans grated even the most ardent of Gers fan last season after another defeat.

Then gutted Clement also complained after Celtic won 2-1 in May as he reacted to a red card for John Lundstram which the Belgian claims cost his side the game.

But it appears he might be getting his excuses in early this afternoon as he prepares to walk his side out in the Premier Sports Cup Final against the Scottish Premiership league leaders at Hampden.

Clement insists Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic are a better team this season than they were last year when they lifted the Double.

And he compared the Hoops‘ consistency in terms of keeping hold of the majority of their squad to his own playing staff which has gone through a mountain of change over the past 12 months.

Philippe Clement says Celtic are better than last season but Rangers have a different squad

For Clement he appears to be putting a pre-match justification on the table for his own supporters in the off-chance that Celtic win the cup and beat his side once again later today.

“It’s different players, different game,” Clement said when discussing this term in contrast to last.

“A lot of different players on our side; on Celtic’s side not that much difference.

“Also more depth in their squad, a bigger squad than they had last season. So they have been better than last season.

Clement’s poor record for Rangers against Celtic

“That’s also a reality we know. So we need to be better also.

“But we have a totally different squad than in that moment. So it’s about now with this Rangers squad and getting the best out of them.”

For all his complaints, the Rangers manager claimed he would not “park the bus” against Celtic in the final.

But that may play into the Hoops’ hands as Clement has never beaten them in competition.