Former Rangers defender and Swiss international Philippe Senderos has backed his Belgian namesake Clement to take Rangers to the title this season and believes the club has the passion to do it.

Speaking to OLBG and Ibrox Noise, Senderos wasn’t 100% sure on Rangers’ outright quality, but felt the grit and determination is there.

He said:

“Rangers definitely have the passion to beat Celtic to the title, but with the ability we still have to see. But it’s a great club with great support and the title race being so close this year is credit to both teams.”

He’s not wrong about it being a great club with a great support, and it is an epically close title race this season, the slimmest for 13 years.

He went on:

“I’m very pleased to see that because you need that to create a competitive league and they have this season.”

It’s very true – almost every season in the SPL since 2011 has been a convincing title win for either Rangers or Celtic, there just hasn’t been one this close in a borderline generation.

And it is excellent for the league not having one half of the Old Firm destroying the other to go miles in the league – it looks better overall to see the competition going up to the wire.

Of course as Rangers fans we’d rather win the league with room to spare, but neutrals will be much happier seeing an exciting finale where either side is capable of taking it.

Yes, it’s Ibrox Noise’s contention that Celtic are favourites now – better goal difference, form, 3 point lead and with a home Old Firm to come, so Rangers are a bit up against it.

But anything can happen in the Split and it’s rare to never we have it this close this near to the end.

Hopefully Senderos is right and passion can get Clement and his men over the line.