Rangers gear up for Spurs and Celtic showdowns with Premiership win

Clement insisted pre-match that he would not tolerate his players taking their eye off the ball and thinking ahead to the Europa League showdown with Tottenham Hotspur or the League Cup final against Celtic in the coming days. And this was a solid showing from the visitors as they followed up their 6-0 win over Kilmarnock with a much-needed victory.

Read more:

• Inside the significant board change expected following Rangers AGM announcement

• The three fixtures that will condemn Clement or give him a stay of Rangers execution

Deficit to Dons is cut once again

The gap to Aberdeen stood at nine points heading into November. Now there is just two between them at the end of the first week of December. Crucially, Clement’s side also have a game in hand as they seek to move into second spot in the Premiership standings. This was a job well done all round for Rangers.

Clement will, of course, always be judged against Celtic and that particular chasm at the top of the table continues to damn the Belgian boss. Dreams of a title triumph were ended some time ago. Indeed, many will argue there was never any chance of a challenge this term in the first place.

The league table doesn’t lie and it will continue to tell a harsh truth for Clement while Rangers sit so far adrift of their Old Firm rivals. Moving ahead of Aberdeen would be a small step in the right direction, though, and the Dons’ recent downturn has opened that door. Rangers made the most of the chance following Aberdeen's draw with St Johnstone and the reaction since a dreadful showing against Dundee United has been just what Clement required.

Rangers host Dundee and travel to Motherwell and St Mirren before the next derby and the chance to take a chunk out of the deficit to Celtic. The last three league fixtures of the year offer an opportunity that Clement’s side must make the most of. 

Rangers make their own luck

If you don’t shoot, you won’t score. Igamane tried his luck and benefitted from a slice of good fortune but his willingness to look to test keepers – something that has been evident during his rise to prominence – paid off once again. After receiving the ball from Jefte on the edge of the area, he only had one thought in his mind. The deflection off the boot of Michee Efete beat Jack Hamilton and Rangers had an early advantage.

It was just the fourth goal that Rangers have scored on their Premiership travels this term. The fifth made sure of the points. Danilo deserves credit for being alert and for pressing Hamilton after he received the ball inside his six-yard area. A poor touch and attempted clearance was charged down and Danilo scored from a tight angle. With that, the game was won.

A comfortable win for Rangers away from home in the league, a long time since that's been the case.

As many goals today (3) as the previous 6 away games. Caps a good week for Philippe Clement. Igamane the standout, Danilo, Raskin and Hagi all good again.

— Joshua Barrie (@JoshuaBarrieRR) December 8, 2024

Rangers perhaps should have doubled their lead before they did. Vaclav Cerny had two attempts – the second of which was a lot closer to finding the net – and then should have done better when he advanced down the right channel.

Midway through the second half, the Czech saw a tame effort saved. John Souttar almost scrambled the ball home from close range and Rangers continued to press and probe at the Staggies. A lovely strike from Tavernier with the outside of his boot was a touch of class to round off the afternoon.

County can’t capitalise on moments

Two efforts in the opening minutes – the first from Alex Samuel after he was one-on-one with Souttar and the second an audacious Ronan Hale strike that was wide of target – would have encouraged County. Within seconds, they were behind and had it all to do.

Jack Butland escaped unscathed after a poor touch gave County a brief opening. It was snuffed out by Souttar. Minutes later, it was Leon Balogun who made the crucial intervention as Josh Nisbet looked to capitalise on a Connor Barron error.

The partnership between Souttar and Balogun is the preferred one for many supporters. Souttar is the first choice at centre-back and deserves credit for the way he has performed over the course of the campaign. Given the doubts over Robin Propper’s suitability for Scottish football, Balogun is the clear second pick. With the January window approaching, could Clement look to add in that area?

Butland saved from Noah Chilvers as County showed admirable intent to look to get at Rangers. The final pass or the decisive strike were not there, though. At 2-0, the game was beyond the visitors.

An Akil Wright header took a nick as it was diverted wide. Another nodded effort was straight at Butland as County started the second half with endeavour. It was never going to materialise into a dramatic comeback.

Positives in the final third

Clement spoke last week about his desire to see Rangers play ‘sexy’ football. His side have moved through the gears since as the new-look forward line has enthused supporters. The bar was set fairly low but the improvement – in both style and substance – was so noticeable as six goals were scored against Kilmarnock on Wednesday evening. The same forward quartet were given the opportunity to go again in the Highlands and impressed individually and collectively.

Cerny has been the most consistent member of the attack in recent weeks on the right. On the opposite flank, Hagi and Igamane offer different threats at different times, while the all-round attributes of Danilo, who switches between the roles of leading the line and supporting from deeper, have been a welcome change from the largely one-dimensional Cyriel Dessers. Rangers are more fluid, more inventive and more interesting to watch now than they have been so often this term.

Hagi has a vision and technical ability that few others in the squad possess and so much went through the Romanian. Had Danilo realised that Hagi wanted a one-two just before the half hour mark, he may well have had a goal to confirm his influence.

Clement often speaks about 'automatisms' and how the timings of runs and passes and movements can only be perfected by enhancing relationships and understanding. The schedule dictates that such work is largely done in the analysis suites rather than on the training pitch at present. This was further evidence of the theory in action and proof that practice means improvement, even if it is still far from perfect for Rangers.

One down, two to go for Rangers

The first hurdle has been overcome. Now the challenges get considerably greater and the stakes considerably higher for Clement and his side. Rangers simply had to take care of business in the Highlands and avoid shooting themselves in the foot on the eve of two potentially defining fixtures at Ibrox and Hampden in the coming days. Having done so, they can now look forward to a Battle of Britain and a shot at League Cup glory.

😮‍💨 "What a finish that is from the captain!"

James Tavernier makes it THREE! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0RovzQRI2t

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 8, 2024

Clement has much to deliberate. Does Dujon Sterling replace James Tavernier at right-back on Thursday night and start against Celtic? Can Balogun be asked to get through three games in seven days to continue the productive partnership with Souttar?

Ahead of them, the shape of the midfield must be considered. Nicolas Raskin clearly starts both matches if fit to do so but it is a case of Barron or Mohamed Diomande or Barron and Diomande alongside him? Hagi is unavailable for Thursday evening, as is Danilo so Nedim Bajrami and Dessers could well come back into the side after second half cameos here.

It is perhaps typical for Rangers that Clement will have to change the formula just when it has started to work. This was an afternoon that will encourage the Ibrox boss. He can perhaps be more enthusiastic about Sunday than he can Thursday as a result.