Philippe Clement issues Rangers 'board and investors' transfer

Philippe Clement issues Rangers ‘board and investors’ transfer rallying cry ahead of January deadline

When asked if he would be “content and confident” for the second half of the season should he not add to his squad in the final week of

the January window, Philippe Clement gave an abrupt “no” in response during his Tuesday media conference.

Even allowing for the fact the Belgian subsequently chose to caveat his bald response by stating “because that was not the idea of the

club [and] I am confident we will do the things we are all aligned on”. Take a step back, and the interaction could be read as Clement

appearing solid in his conviction that the Rangers board and “investors” – the 49-year-old notably often referred to “the board and

investors” when discussing the club’s transfer strategy – are about to back him with a decent wedge of hard cash.

The Rangers boss would not consider sharing any information regarding rumors that the team is getting ready to spend a sizeable £4.5

million to sign Ivorian midfielder Mohamed Diomande from Nordsjaelland. All signs point to the 22-year-old joining the team as their

second addition of the transfer window, following the loan of Wolves’ Fabio Silva. And that, with a striker as the first priority, this will

not be the last time the Rangers roster is strengthened before February 1.

Since their 2012 insolvency, the Ibrox club has not turned a profit and continues to operate at a loss. However, it appears that the

investors who have strengthened their financial position to enable them to maintain their competitiveness are not inclined to withhold

financial support from Clement. Perhaps they felt morally obligated to do so after letting former

boss Michael Beale spend £13 million on an inept summer hiring campaign.

The £35m bounty guaranteed to the Scottish Premiership winners, courtesy of next season’s expanded Champions League is perhaps

focusing minds to raid bank balances once more. Clement certainly gives no indications he is anything other than relaxed and

confident over the efforts being made to furnish him with signings to strengthen his hand in the title race.

“I always feel confident,” the manager of the Rangers stated. A different emotion would arise if I observed individuals in the building

acting sluggishly and not working day and night to achieve our objectives and fulfill our desires, if I sensed that the board was

unwilling to assist, and if investors believed the January market held little significance.

However, I get the impression that everyone is doing their hardest to achieve our goals.