TREBLE IS IN PHIL’S SIGHTS
ALEX McLEISH reckons that Philippe Clement is poised to end Rangers’ 21-year wait for a domestic Treble.
Big Eck was the last Ibrox gaffer to complete the clean sweep back in 2003.
And he believes that even a third Celtic derby victory of the campaign this afternoon won’t prevent Clement from winning the lot.
The Belgian arrived in Glasgow less than six months ago but has already lifted the Viaplay Cup and faces Hearts in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup in a fortnight.
However, it’s today’s High Noon showdown against champions Celtic – who are a point clear at the top, having played one game more – that has really captured the country’s imagination.
Rangers are slight favourites with the bookies but McLeish is convinced that the Light Blues can finish ahead of them even if the Hoops upset the odds.
“People like to talk about how it’s the results of the Old Firm games that decide the destination of the title,” he said.
“But it’s not always the be-all and end-all – and I should know.
“Back in 2003 Celtic won two and drew one of the four meetings – but we still pipped them on the last day.
“Two years later they won three of the derbies but it was us who collected the trophy on Helicopter Sunday after they lost to Hibs and Motherwell during the run-in.
“Obviously, the derbies are hugely important and, of course, winning them helps when you’re fighting for the championship but you must do more than that.”
McLeish remembers when Rangers were written off as contenders contende after just one game of that 202002-03 campaign.
He saisaid: “On the opening weewee kekendn Ce l t i c be a t Dunfermline Dunferm and we drew at
Kilmarnock and the media jumped to the conclusion that the league was already over!
“Martin O’Neill’s Celtic were a good side but people forget we had a team of international stars as well then – people like Claudio Caniggia, Ronald de Boer, Stefan Klos, Arthur Numan Peter Lovenkrands, Barry Ferguson and Michael Mols.
“That season, Celtic beat Liverpool and Blackburn away on their way to the UEFA Cup final and Henrik Larsson said that they’d finish in the top four if they played in England.
“On the day we clinched the title, I thought to myself: ‘ Well, that means we’d finish at least third down there’!”
McLeish has been impressed by the job Clement has done since he replaced Michael Beale in October.
He said: “Philippe has taken them to a level I hadn’t expected them to reach this quickly.
“It’s been a long time since Rangers won everything and this is a great chance for him to do it at the first time of asking.
“With the massive cash reward from next season’s Champions League in the balance, this season’s title win could be a game-changer for whoever wins it.
“And I think Rangers have the upper hand. There’s been a real upturn in quality the longer he’s been there and the big fella has done an incredible job.”