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

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

When asked at his media conference on Tuesday if he would be “content and confident” for the second half of the season if he did not add to his squad in the final week of the January window, Philippe Clement responded with a firm “no”.

Despite the fact that the Belgian later chose to qualify his forthright response by declaring “because that was not the idea of the club [and] I am confident we will do the things we are all aligned on”.

Taking a step back, the encounter may be read as Clement appearing steadfast in his view that the Rangers board and “investors” – the 49-year-old frequently 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 refused to comment on rumors that the club is planning to pay £4.5 million to sign Ivorian midfielder Mohamed Diomande from Nordsjaelland.

All signs, however, suggest that the 22-year-old will become the club’s second signing of the window, following Fabio Silva’s loan move from Wolves. And that this will not be the last time Rangers add to their team before February 1, with a striker being the top objective.

The Ibrox club continues to lose money and has not turned a profit since its insolvency in 2012. However, it appears that the corporate backers who have strengthened their resources to allow them to remain competitive are not in the mood to deny Clement financial assistance. Maybe feeling  morally obliged to do so when they allowed predecessor Michael Beale to splurge £13m across a flawed summer recruitment drive.

The £35 million prize money given to the Scottish Premiership champions as a result of next season’s expanded Champions League is likely to focus minds on raiding bank accounts once more.

Clement gives no indication that he is anything other than relaxed and confident about the efforts being made to provide him with signings to help him in the title race.

“I’m always confident,” the Rangers boss stated. “I would have a different feeling if I saw lazy employees not working hard to achieve our goals, if I felt the board was unhelpful, or if investors dismissed the January market as unimportant.”

“But I have a feeling everyone is doing their best to get what we want to get.”

“Is there a guarantee? No, but that is true for practically every team in the world. There are a few with enough money to accomplish it, but not too many. You can see that the transfer market in general started rather slowly. So I understand it’s not an easy market.

I see those that want to bring in transfers trying their absolute best, and I see it with my players as well. That makes me feel more at ease. I’m also on top of things because if I see something going wrong, I’m there too.

“It happens in training and other situations, but I’m certain that this club is progressing in all aspects. There is a significant difference in this facility, in every department, from three months ago.  If we continue growing like that we will reach our goals.”

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