Celtic’s advantage gone as Philippe Clement’s Rangers ramp up

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Celtic’s advantage gone as Philippe Clement’s Rangers ramp up
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 21: Rangers Manager Philippe Clement during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Rangers FC and Hibernian FC at Ibrox Stadium on October 21, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

After last night’s demolition of Dundee, Rangers have finally put to rest the ‘goal difference’ demon, by equalling Celtic’s numbers domestically and in fact being the best defence in the league now.

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We all recall how the side trailed the eastern lot by an effective 7 points the season before last and not 6, because they had a vastly superior goal difference, and joint on points would still see them win the league?

Well, Rangers now have 24 goals this season, Celtic have only one more, and Rangers have conceded just 6 all campaign, to their 7.

It marks an extraordinary turnaround for Rangers, with three excellent opening Premiership matches for Philippe Clement, demonstrating three different facets to his Rangers:

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A tactically brilliant display v Hibs, only two days into the job, where a comfortable 4-0 ran out easy winners against a side his predecessor horribly struggled against on his debut.

Then a gutsy show against Hearts, with a terrible performance but a never say die attitude and fighting till the end, with late sub Danilo nabbing a precious winner.

Then last night’s smooth, polished, slick and professional away display against an in-form Dundee, rattling 5 goals without reply.

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That even Dessers and Lammers scored two outstanding goals between them gives some idea of the clear progress already being made by this manager, and the fact that it’s three wins on the trot in the league and just one goal conceded has seen his side equal Celtic in goal difference.

Make no mistake, ‘that lot’ are watching – despite the usual Sevconians who come on Ibrox Noise with their predictable madness, there’s actually been a few of them pop on and admit Rangers have a manager now, and are actually giving reluctant praise to the change. Yes. Really.

So they know fine well they now have a proper adversary for the first time since Walter – and yes, we include Steven Gerrard in that.

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Clement is the real deal, and in three matches has reduced the GD to 0 from 6, and reduced the points gap by 2. And that’s with exactly the same squad the previous manager had.

Make no mistake, 56 is possible this season. Long way to go, but ‘they’ look terrible, and suddenly Rangers are a whole new animal.

Bring it on.

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