Clement: I’ll review Jose red decision
insists he pulled out of the challenge and will review the incident himself before making a decision on a potential appeal.
With Danilo also on the sidelines ahead of a massive week, Clement was dealt another curveball by Cifuentes’ red.
But he reckons his players showed they are prepared to fight for each other when the going gets tough.
The Ibrox boss said: “I’ve not seen the images back. Jose told me he lost the ball and wanted to win it back.
“He wanted to block the ball but the other guy is a split second faster and tackles through the ball.
“There’s contact. Jose tries to avoid it, he didn’t go through it.
“I’ll see things back to have a clear opinion so we can make an assessment in the next few days.
“I am a glass half-full man, I don’t want to be a half-empty guy.
“I don’t want to look at the problems, I need to find solutions.
“It has not been easy, we had a few (injuries) in the first few weeks. But the players are giving me good solutions.”
Rangers showed guts after losing a sixthminute goal to Bakayoko to maintain Clement’s 12-match unbeaten run.
Goals from Cyriel Desser s , a James Tavernier penalty and Abdallah Sima’s 13th goal of the season had Gers on easy street before Cifuentes saw red.
But the boss insists his injury-hit side have bared their teeth and shown they are ready to win trophies with another fighting performance.
Clement said: “The team showed that they are a team.
“I see our dressingroom growing week by week.
“That is crucial. We are putting a lot of attention on that.
“You need a strong dressingroom where everybody fights for one another, where everybody is available for the team.
“You don’t win trophies without that.
“Everyone can see in the last few weeks this
team are st icking together in every sense.
“Players coming in, playing out of position and doing a job.”
Dessers was flung in to lead the line after Danilo was ruled out until after the winter break with a knee injury.
And Clement – who confirmed Connor Goldson was rested ahead of a hectic spell – said: “I don’t like to point out one player but it was a good goal, a striker’s goal that everybody wants to see.
“Besides that, Cyriel did his job, he worked.
“We need to get him to a better physical level – I want that for 90 minutes but he is not there yet.”
Todd Cantwell had a goal ruled out before halftime then was hooked at the break as Clement tweaked his side to combat the red card.
The Belgian said: “It was 100 per cent tactical. It’s a pity for Todd as he was working hard.
“He was really good in the last game so it’s a pity to take him off – but you make decisions for the team and not one player.
“The good thing is he will be fresh for Thursday.
“After the red you need good organisation to defend well.
“But, for me, we scored four goals – because I can’t see why Todd’s goal was disallowed.”
Clement was booked for mouthing off at the officials but revealed he later apologised to ref Clancy for his outburst.
The f lashpoint came after play was halted and he said: “If it’s not a clear foul let the play go then you have VAR to make a correction if needed.
“That’s why I started to bawl. I kept boiling for a few minutes. That’s why I apologised after the game to the ref. I’m also human and make mistakes.”