PRESSURE is mounting on Philippe Clement at Ibrox after Rangers’ latest defeat leaves them six points behind Celtic and Aberdeen.
The feelings towards the Belgian is beginning to shift among the Rangers support after Sunday’s shock defeat to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
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But many fans fear his recent contract extension could become a factor in the Ibrox hierarchy’s decision to potentially wield the axe on the under-fire gaffer.
Clement, 50, was handed a surprise four-year deal in August – less than a year after taking over the Govan hot-seat.
The news left fans and pundits puzzled as there was a lot of ambiguity over whether Rangers’ recent performances and results warranted a new deal for the manager.
Fast-forward just two months and even more questions are being asked of the board’s decision.
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A large section of the club’s fan base are growing concerned over their team’s future under his leadership, with some calling for the board to act now and look for a new approach in the dugout.
Rangers are entering a crucial period in the coming weeks as they face FCSB in the Europa League on Thursday and have a League Cup semi-final clash with Motherwell, and a trip to face Jimmy Thelin’s in form Aberdeen side at Pittodrie looming.
But is he safe in the job given his recent long-term extension?
That’s not the view of one pundit as he believes the Ibrox board won’t be scared by the potential pay-off they would need to cough up to the manager to let him go.
Former Hibs star Tam McManus reckons the Gers won’t have to stump up a huge fee if they are to axe the gaffer.
Instead, he claims Clement will only land a maximum of a year’s compensation if he is indeed shown the door.
And he believes the Belgian’s future at Ibrox is now in real doubt following the 1-0 defeat to Derek McInnes’ men.
He told PLZ: “I don’t think it will be a four-year compensation. I think most managers get six months to a year in terms of getting paid off.
“I don’t think that’s an issue if Rangers continue to lose games and it becomes a decision that they can’t afford not to make.
“They have got a huge game coming up a week on Wednesday – Aberdeen away. There is six points between them just now if Aberdeen go nine points clear of them in November – forget Celtic, Aberdeen. I think he is under real pressure.”
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