By Sean Docherty

Phillipe Clement is under the most pressure he has ever experienced as Rangers manager. Poor results this season and recent results against Kilmarnock and Lyon have sparked an uproar within the fanbase. Rangers have been unconvincing with their performances since the start of the season and now sit six points behind Celtic and Aberdeen, who are both unbeaten, sitting joint top of the table.

Phillipe Clement took charge of Rangers over a year ago when he inherited a team eight points behind rivals Celtic, as well as very low on confidence. Clement started his Rangers career strong, guiding his new side to their first league cup win in over 13 years as well as topping their UEFA Europa League group and going unbeaten in his first 16 games as Rangers boss.

This season saw Rangers surrounded by negativity within the fanbase. They dropped points in the first game away at Hearts, as well as dropping out of the Champions League after a defeat to Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv. This seemed to many like the same problems were still apparent and has given a picture of what is to come during the rest of the season.

The first derby of the season saw Rangers lose 3-0 to Celtic which meant Rangers would be five points behind the league leaders just five games into the season. This also meant that Clement was still without a win against Celtic in five attempts.

Following yet another derby day defeat, it has unsurprisingly caused anger and frustration within the fanbase. Many fans have since turned on Clement on social media with many fans feeling that the club is in a repetitive cycle of sacking a manager and hiring a new one with the same problems still showing. A lack of creativity amongst the players has become apparent with the players losing the energy and hunger that they had for so much of last season. Many people think that this may be down to a lack of leadership within the dressing room but Clement has since come out and condemned this.

Lonely Place: Clement is becoming a furlong figure on the Ibrox touchline.

Following the defeat at Celtic Park, Rangers picked themselves back up and have since shown some good performances, including a good away win in the Europa League against Malmo which many thought could be a turning point for the team. However, losses against French side Lyon in the Europa League and a loss to Kilmarnock have now caused even more doubt on Rangers’ ability to achieve this season.

Results for Rangers have now well and truly placed Phillipe Clement in the hot seat. His side now sit six points behind rivals Celtic, who seem to be on an upward trajectory whilst the performance of Rangers continues to decrease. It is uncertain what the future has in store for Clement and Rangers but results against Steaua Bucharest and Aberdeen could well and truly give us an idea of what is to come for both manager and club.

Philippe Clement Under Fire