Both Rangers flops Philippe Clement set to follow Ruben Amorim’s lead after Man Utd boss swings ax

Philippe Clement will soon come face to face with Ruben Amorim when Rangers take on Man Utd and the Belgian could take inspiration from his counterpart.

Since walking through the doors to take over in October 2023, Celtic have paid little attention to the Light Blues and some players continue to let the Gers boss down.

Amorim has just guided his team to a monumental derby victory over Man City after dropping two players who were previously guaranteed starters – a lesson Clement could learn for Rangers.

Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Man Utd boss sets example for Philippe Clement at Rangers

Two squad players in particular who came off the bench at Hampden could look in the mirror over their efforts and Amorim’s post-match comments tick plenty of boxes for Rangers to make a similar decision:

“Selection,” the Man Utd boss said when asked why the two high-profile players were not involved.

“We try to evaluate everything – training, performance, game performance, engagement with teammates, progressing teammates.

“Everything is on the line when we analyze and try to pick the players, so that was my selection. Simple.

“I don’t want to send a message (to the locker room with that). It’s simply an assessment, and they know it.

“The players are really very intelligent and so everyone understands my decision and I have to choose. It’s just a simple selection.

“Of course the context is difficult – we have to win games and we are in a difficult situation now.

“But, like I said, I pay attention to everything: the way you eat, the way you dress to participate in the match. Everything.

“I do my assessment and then I have to decide. I have a lot of players to choose from and today I made my choice.

“It’s not a matter of discipline, it’s something we need to do to improve our standards.”

Ruben Amorim explains why Marcus Rashford and Alejandro were not in Manchester United’s squad for the derby pic.twitter.com/odtfcHQkTF

– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 15, 2024

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Who were the two Rangers who didn’t do their part?

Most of the players who played against Tottenham Hotspur have been invited to play against Celtic again.

They all rushed into the ground.

The work rate could not be questioned, nor could the desire to turn recent fortunes around and prove that Rangers can close the gap at the top of Scottish football.

All except Kieran Dowell and Cyriel Dessers.

Entering late into extra time, they had no excuse not to be fresh.

Neither of them started or played any real number of minutes at Spurs, which made their lackluster performances against Celtic all the more damning.

They must be world champions in training because nothing from them recently suggests they should be trusted on such big occasions.

Effort and desire should be the bare minimum Clement looks for in his Rangers team, but for two senior players to show nothing when it matters most is unacceptable.