PLASTIC PITCH IS A WORRY FOR CLEMENT

PHILIPPE CLEMENT last night sounded a Rugby Park danger warning as he urged Rangers to be on their guard for astro agony this evening.

The Ibrox (left) boss is preparing for his first trip to face Kilmarnock at their Ayrshire HQ.

The new league leaders have managed just four wins in their last 12 jaunts down the M77 and only one of those was by more than a single goal.

And Clement expects another tough test of his title-chasing outfit’s crown credentials as they look to avenge this term’s opening day loss under Michael Beale.

He said: “It is a totally different story to that day. There were other ideas, other players also. A lot of things have changed.

“I don’t think you need to put a lot of emphasis on that.

“The guys have respect for the opponent. If I am right, in six Old Firm games this season

Kilmarnock have won three, one draw and two losses.

“We’re going to go there full focus but it’s one of those dangerous moments.

“It’s a big challenge. We will approach that game like all of the games, with the respect for the opponent but also respect for ourselves to play our own game, although we need to adapt to a totally different kind of football because of the pitch.

“It’s not easy but we did it before at Livingston and we need to do it again.

“I see danger in every game. If you don’t have respect for your opponents then you become lazy, sloppy.

“Kilmarnock, their track record from the last couple of months is really good. They’re going to make it a huge fight, we know how they play and we need to be ready for that.”

Meanwhile, Clement was delighted to hear reports down south claiming Jack Butland is in line for an England recall.

Three Lions goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson has been keeping tabs on the Ibrox No.1.

And Clement said: “I would love that if he could be there because he deserves it, he is ready in that way. If he deserves it enough, that is the decision of Gareth Southgate.

“He has been really good for the team, although he had less job to do the last couple of weeks.

“He is going to be very important in the next couple of weeks and months because we have a lot of important games.”