Derek Ferguson has voiced his growing frustration with Philippe Clement’s constant excuses, especially after the Rangers manager insisted he wouldn’t resign and called for greater consistency to turn the team’s fortunes around.
Rangers suffered a stunning Scottish Cup defeat on Sunday, losing 1-0 at home to Queen’s Park, a Championship side. It marked their first loss to the Spiders in 77 years. This setback has brought Clement closer to losing his job, and former Rangers star Ferguson has raised concerns about the team’s mentality and the players’ level of motivation. He believes the club’s board now faces a critical decision regarding Clement’s future, as the pressure on him intensifies.
Ferguson criticized the manager’s excuses, pointing out, “He had a stronger squad than Queen’s Park, so it’s on him to motivate them to win that game convincingly, particularly for the fans who showed up in large numbers. The supporters are devastated, and if the manager is frustrated, imagine how they feel. But the players didn’t seem to care. It’s almost as if they think getting to the last 16 in Europe is enough and they can relax now.”
He further emphasized that it is the manager’s responsibility to keep the players motivated, even threatening substitutions when necessary. Ferguson stressed that the defeat to Queen’s Park was unacceptable, particularly given that the title race had been lost before Christmas and the cup was the team’s remaining focus. With a strong squad at his disposal, Clement should have secured the win, and this loss has only intensified the pressure on him.
In closing, Ferguson said, “The manager is under immense pressure now. He must win matches like this at home. It’s up to the board to make the next move.”
