Among the many things Philippe Clement will have learned from Rangers’ defeat at Aberdeen last week would have been to realize that some things are better left unsaid.
After a hugely damaging defeat, the Belgian’s claim that his performance was among the best his team had produced this season was like adding fuel to the fire.
However, while that statement wasn’t something any fan wanted to hear at such a difficult time, there was actually more than a grain of truth in it.
In 18 games in all competitions, Rangers have rarely shined. The growing suspicion is that it is not a team that is playing well below its level. As unpleasant as it may be for your followers to accept, your optimal level may not be as high as before.
Clemente’s team rarely dominates games. They rely too much on individual moments to get the job done. When the star becomes like Vaclav Cerny and Nedim Bajrami doesn’t produce them, it’s a tremendous struggle.
Clemente speaks to the media in Greece before the clash against Olympiakos
The Rangers squad familiarizes themselves with the playing field at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium
Thursday night’s opponent, Olympiakos, won the Conference League last season.
Two of this season’s Europa League games have been exceptions to the rule. In Malmo, Clement’s team scored inside the minute through Bajrami and were never in danger once Ross McCausland came off the bench to score a beauty.
At home against Steaua Bucharest, his team scored four goals and, honestly, they could have scored any number of goals.
The frustration of everyone involved comes from the fact that those high points have invariably been followed by another crushing low. The moment this side hints at what they might be capable of, they back off.
Whatever the truth about Rangers’ position this season, Clement desperately needs more of what the fans received against the Swedes and Romanians and less of the dross they have been served too often domestically.
While progress to the Premier Sports Cup final at Motherwell’s expense last Sunday eased some pressure on the manager, the first-half display was another that did not set pulses racing.
A radical improvement will be needed at the port of Piraeus on Thursday afternoon if Clement’s side are to have any chance of picking up six more points than they have already achieved in the Europa League.
Olympiakos is the current champion of the Conference League. Still basking in the fact that they became the first Greek team to win a European trophy when they defeated Fiorentina in May, they have added ballast to their team by signing the likes of Sergio Oliveira, Kristoffer Velde and Roman Yaremchuk.
Clement will be looking for the same type of display that saw Rangers defeat FCSB 4-0
A repeat of Rangers’ performance beating Malmo in Sweden would be welcomed by fans.
José Luis Mendilibar insists his Olympiakos team will put pressure on Rangers
Only three of the teams that started the final against the Italians have surpassed.
Their coach, José Luis Mendilibar, won this competition with Sevilla in 2023 before giving the Olympiakos fans the best night of their lives.
Their fans not only expect to win on Thursday night, but they believe they will do so with something to spare. It’s hard to understate the challenge facing Clement and this inconsistent group of players.
“We know what they did last season, of course, winning that trophy. It’s a big club,” said the Rangers boss.
‘They won, very deservedly, against Malmo and Braga. So tomorrow will be a really important test. It is an important match, but we are looking forward to it and we want to prevail and go for a good result. The other games too. There’s not a single game we’re going to waste. We want to play against all opponents to score points. Otherwise, there is no point in playing in this Europa League.
“This is the mentality we want to see in the team. Whatever the opponent, who may have many stars, we are going to go get the points. We have a lot of respect for Olympiakos. For us it is a very good test for our team.” .
Come kick-off time, the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium will not be a place for the faint-hearted.
Named after a military commander and leader of the Greek War of Independence, those who fill this stadium do so with a fervor equal to any other in Europe.
Any player who finds too much expectation of putting on the famous red and white jersey will not take long to reach these places.
As well as facing a team that beat Aston Villa home and away in the Conference League semi-final, Clement’s players will have to deal with an atmosphere as hostile as any they have encountered.
“I’m sure of it,” Clement added. “Okay, we have some guys who are less experienced, but we also have enough experienced players in the team.” They are used to playing at Ibrox.
Rangers guaranteed warm reception from Olympiakos fans
Clement takes a walk around the field before his team faces the Greeks
Rangers star Vaclav Cerny has fun with something on his phone before the big game
‘That helps too. If you have a team that plays in a smaller stadium and you come here, it’s different. In Malmo there was also a very good atmosphere. That’s what you want.
‘On European nights there is always some magic. It’s always something special. Different styles of play, different players that you don’t know very well.
“And therefore, for a player it is always nice to play in stadiums like this. Big stadiums with a lot of people. So, everyone will accept it and be happy with it.”
Hope for Clement lies in the fact that the Greeks have also had their challenges this season.
With the hangover from their celebrations still lingering, the new players have taken some time to settle.
Currently sitting 4th in the Greek Super League, their Europa League form is similar to Rangers. They also beat Malmo and found Lyon too hot to handle. A 3-0 home win over Braga was the highlight of their season.
Tom Lawrence’s absence for up to six weeks is an issue the Rangers manager could have done without.
Dujon Sterling is likely to get more playing time as a result, although Clement does not believe the former Chelsea man is still capable of playing every minute of every game.
“I’m not sure he’s ready for the 90 minutes of the game,” the Belgian said.
“He needs to prove it in the next few weeks. He’s been struggling for two months, not with a big injury, but with something that stopped him from really running.
“He hasn’t been the same as he always was, like he was last season. Because of that, he didn’t have the level (of fitness) that he had before. That’s why he played fewer minutes. Working with the medical staff, we found a solution to solve it .It’s already solved.’
Lawrence’s absence sounds like the continuation of a tired old story for the manager when it comes to injuries. One who promised to close the book after his arrival.
However, convinced the injury situation had improved, he said: “No, we have to be realistic about it.” I don’t think there is a squad in the world in which there are no injuries. That is a utopia.
“At some times, yes, but last season we had, at many times, 12 players out. “That’s never been the case this season.”
With the outlook improving on that front, Clement has one less factor to cite to mitigate if results under his watch remain wildly inconsistent.
A declared victory in one of Europe’s most intimidating arenas would be a good way to silence his growing band of critics. At least for a while.