Philippe Clement hypes up his Rangers side ahead of Celtic match, we’ll soon learn what the reality is

Add as preferred source on Google

Philippe Clement is talking a big game ahead of visiting Celtic Park next weekend.

That’s no surprise, of course. Celtic fans have watched a litany of figures from Ibrox hype up their chances in the derby in recent years, only to see them left disappointed more often than not.

Clement has yet to beat Celtic since arriving as a manager in Scotland. He’s had four chances but Celtic showed why they are the best team in the country with consistent derby performances last season.

Despite that, the Rangers boss claimed after beating Ross County on Saturday that they were ‘really close’ to the champions last year.

That’ll be news to some considering Brendan Rodgers’ side finished eight points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Phillipe Clement speaks about Celtic Park match

Clement said [The Herald]: “We’re going to prepare us in the ultimate best way to be competitive in that game. And to go full for the three points.

“Not to sit and to 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.

“Because we were really close last season. We were really close at Ibrox [in the 3-3 draw in April]. We were really close in the Cup Final. The difference in the Cup Final was one action that they were efficient and we were not. We had the same chances, we had the same possession also.

“So, okay, 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. But I’m also really positive about that way.

“If you speak about the Jeftes and the Connor Barrons, although Connor played there, but it’s a different kind of game with Aberdeen. Because those are also two guys who the last couple of weeks had a few exams for the first time. And they take it every time really well. So, I expect them to do it there also. And the other guys will have more experience in that kind of game.”

Celtic can burst the Rangers bubble again

Rangers may have won 6-0 on Saturday but, to be frank, Ross County have looked poor in the early stages of the season, also losing to Spartans in the League Cup last weekend.

We’ll soon find out whether Clement is right to put so much belief in his team to perform at Celtic Park. We know that if the Bhoys turn up at 100% then it will be very difficult for the visitors to get a positive result.

Backed by 60,000 raucous fans, Celtic will be favourites despite the plan of Rangers to go ‘flat out’ at the champions. It’s up to the team to show everyone again that talk is cheap and what matters most is what happens on the pitch.