Philippe Clement hold talks with ‘quality’ player he believes can have big impact at Rangers

Philippe Clement hold talks with ‘quality’ player he believes can have big impact at Rangers

Philippe Clement has pledged to give youth a chance at Rangers with

the likes of Bailey Rice and Finlay Curtis getting their opportunities in recent weeks.

However, the Rangers manager has shown hesitation at times regarding

the youngest players in the squad, as the burden of the blue jersey is significant

even for the club’s most experienced members.

Although Bailey Rice is considered the most promising player in the Rangers squad,

he was substituted at half-time during the humiliating Scottish Cup

match against Queen’s Park.

Philippe Clement, who is on the defensive, faced tough questions about

his future at Rangers before the Hearts match. He disclosed that

he has spoken with the midfielder following the loss to the Spiders.

Philippe Clement holds meeting with Bailey Rice

In September 2023, Michael Beale asserted that Bailey Rice was ‘ready’ for

the Rangers first team.

However, Philippe Clement viewed the midfielder quite differently,

indicating that the 18-year-old still had a lot of improvement to

make in his off-the-ball game.

This season, Clement has started to give Rice more playing time,

teasing Rangers fans, but the outcome against Queen’s Park was disappointing

for everyone, including the young midfielder.

Rice’s 45 minutes at Ibrox were disappointing, as were those of the rest of

the Rangers team, but fans had suggested, in a rather cathartic manner,

that Clement used Rice as a scapegoat.

The manager of the Rangers has responded sharply to such insinuations and

alleviated worries that the substitution at halftime could affect Rice’s early development.

“I naturally had a conversation with Bailey Rice, just as we’ve talked to

the other players in previous weeks,” Clement informed the media prior to

the match against Hearts.

“I understand that there are worries among people regarding Bailey Rice being

substituted at half-time and how it will impact him. I can state that

there is no reason to doubt this.

“We met with Bailey individually, just like we do with other players.

And it’s always with players, both individually and collectively.

Rangers wonderkid feels Ibrox ‘tension’

Considering Rice’s ascent at Rangers over the past couple of years, Rangers youth

coach Brian Gilmour has been instrumental in the young player’s development.

Clement clarified that the meeting was held with the academy coach to ensure some

‘consistency’ in managing the teenage talent.

The manager of the Rangers asserts that Bailey Rice was candid regarding his performance

against Queen’s Park, a game in which the midfielder found it difficult to assert himself.

Clement is of the opinion that the burden of expectation at Ibrox was a significant

factor and he restated his conviction regarding the child’s potential.

The manager of the Rangers is of the opinion that the Ibrox supporters also failed to

recognize Rice’s ‘quality’ during the game.

„Bailey war der erste, der mit seiner ersten Halbzeit unzufrieden war“, sagte Clement.

“It’s to be expected; he’s 18, it’s his first time at Ibrox, and he’s a lifelong supporter.

That creates a certain tension.

“It’s a player in whom I have a strong belief. I don’t easily give 18-year-olds chances in

European matches or to start games like that.

“Bailey had a decent performance, but he didn’t utilize the quality

he possesses and the specific quality that will make him a top

player in the future. It is his excellent passing and his forward passes to breaking lines.

Rangers experience will make Bailey Rice ‘better’

Philippe Clement acknowledges that Rangers fans may have felt frustration over

the choice to substitute Bailey Rice during the match against Queen’s Park.

The manager suggests that, in hindsight, the outcome seems obvious and that

there was nothing he could have done correctly considering the context of the seismic result.

“Post-match, you can claim that playing more with Bailey Rice would

have been better,” said Clement. „Aber dann hätte ich mir die

Frage stellen müssen, warum man den erfahrene Nicolas Raskin nicht

zur Halbzeit einwechselt?“ Was an error committed?

„Das ist dann später, aber Bailey hat eine starke Motivation und Hunger.

“ My confidence radiates to him, as does that of the staff.

Philippe Clement never openly criticises his players, and it’s evident that

the Rangers manager sees great potential in Bailey Rice.

Although the loss to Queen’s Park represented a devastating outcome for

the whole club, Clement maintains that it will ultimately strengthen Bailey Rice.

Clement stated, “I’m quite certain that after this meeting, it will

be interesting to see how he reacts in that situation.”

“He showed a lot of maturity and understanding when

he recognized his own mistakes.

„Er wird daraus lernen, und letztlich wird es eine gute Erfahrung für ihn sein.

This is the one that improves him, so there’s no question about it.

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