- Belgian wary of being sucked into ‘mind games’ at Hampden on Sunday
- Ibrox boss looking for first win over Celtic in six attempts
Philippe Clement last night warned his Rangers players to avoid being sucked into Celtic ‘mind games’ during the Premier Sports Cup final.
Clement’s side head into the first showpiece final of the season with confidence after outplaying Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Awaiting medical assessments on John Souttar after the Scotland defender limped out of Thursday’s 1-1 draw, the Ibrox boss will also remind his players to resist any bait dangled by Parkhead rivals keen to climb under their skin.
Former Rangers midfielder Todd Cantwell was suckered into a needless post-match bust-up with Celtic skipper Callum McGregor after the teams drew 3-3 in April and, wary of the occasion’s impact on his players, Clement said: ‘It’s also a part of it, yes. Because for sure there will be mind games during the game.
‘So they need to handle that well. Those are also things you need to prepare for.’
Pursuing his first Old Firm win as Rangers manager at the sixth time of asking, the Belgian played down the personal importance of the occasion.
Philippe Clement has urged his players to stay cool under the pressure at Hampden on Sunday
The Belgian is aiming to record his first victory over Celtic in six attempts this weekend
Kyogo Furuhashi scored as Celtic came out on top in September’s Premiership meeting
Under severe pressure after a 1-1 home draw against Dundee United on November 23, Clement’s team have bounced back with wins over Nice in France, St Johnstone, Kilmarnock and Ross County.
Having avoided defeat against an expensively assembled Spurs side, a cup final win over Celtic would alter the narrative around the manager completely.
Asked how much pressure he felt to break his duck, Clement replied: ‘No, zero. It’s not about me. It’s about the club. It’s about the players.
‘It’s never been about me in this job, in whatever club. It’s about winning trophies, 200 per cent. About winning games, 200 per cent. So that’s what I want against every opponent.
‘It’s not my personal goal or anything. I don’t win the game. I’m not on the pitch. I can guide them to what to do on the pitch. So that’s my job.’
Hopes of a Rangers victory could be damaged if Scotland defender Souttar fails to overcome a groin problem.
Refusing to comment on the potential loss of his best defender in recent weeks ahead of a game where small margins could be critical, Clement will seek the advice of medics before naming his team, with Leon Balogun and Robin Propper prepped to forge a partnership for only the third time.
‘For the moment, I cannot say definite things towards the weekend or the state of injuries,’ offered Clement. ‘I first need to get the assessment of the doc about that. And that’s not clear yet at the moment.’
Clement took on former rival Ange Postecoglou in the Europa League midweek
Hamza Igamane got on the scoresheet as Rangers held Tottenham to a 1-1 draw at Ibrox
Clement believes Celtic have improved this season, a statement supported by the fact that Brendan Rodgers and his side have lost just one of their 24 matches this term. In six Champions League games, their only defeat was a 7-1 thrashing to Borussia Dortmund.
Clement added: ‘Celtic is a team that is really good on the ball with a lot of quality players. So we need to play a very mature game, well organised.
‘But we need to play our football also and create our chances like we do in the last couple of weeks. In the top games you don’t get 20 good chances.
‘You need to be efficient and grab your moments. That’s crucial.’
