And what of Igamane, his prized possession who’s banging them in at an impressive rate – 12 in his past 14 games. Has he got the pitchforks at the ready for any would-be suitors? “It needs to be a win-win situation,” Clement explains. “We’re not at the top of the food chain, we know that. But it needs to be the right moment for the club and for the player.
“I don’t think he’s ready to make the next step. It’s important for him to be in a consistent environment and it’s really good here.”
If Igamane keeps going the way he is, there’s only going to be one outcome sooner or later – and that’s an exit to a bigger league as part of the much talked about, but rarely seen, Rangers’ player trading model.
“You need to develop players and sell them afterwards to bigger competitions for a good price,” says Clement. “That business model was not there the last couple of years and people were putting money in but the club was not getting money back in sales and it’s not healthy. We don’t want to go to the same situation as 12 years ago (financial collapse), so this is the only way we can do it.”
If this is a joyless grind set against the backdrop of fans in revolt over inconsistent – and occasionally awful – away performances in the league then Clement doesn’t seem to carry that baggage.
How can it be fun? “Oh, there’s a lot of fun,” the Belgian enthuses. “You’re a journalist, you only speak about the negative things. We had a lot of positive moments this season.
“There was a fantastic atmosphere against Celtic when we won and at that game against Tottenham and in our other European games at home. We came very close to winning the first trophy of the season.
“We have now 34 points out of 36 league points at home, so a lot of good things have happened. It’s true about the away games. We didn’t take enough points and the demands are really big. This club is about winning. That’s also what I am about.
“I want to win everything, so I understand when we don’t win people are not happy. I’m not happy. We still have a lot of work to do. I’m not somebody who runs away.”
From Fraserburgh at home to Manchester United away – football in all its contrasting glory. Thursday’s is a meeting of two giants trying to find their way while overshadowed for years by their city rivals. The comparisons end there, says Clement.
“I don’t think we can make a comparison if you see what they have spent the last couple of years and what we have spent,” he says. “They’re spending a lot. We’re spending, er, not much, but we’re trying to find really young talents to develop them to make them better.”
The last time Clement was in the dugout at Old Trafford he was manager at Club Brugge in the 2019-20 season. Having drawn 1-1 in Belgium, they got an early red card in Manchester and lost 5-0. “We expect another scenario on Thursday,” he says, with a half-smile.
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