Ex-Rangers coach lifts lid on working under Philippe Clement

Alex Rae has lifted the lid on his experience working under Philippe Clement at Rangers.

Rae left Ibrox when Clement was sacked from his managerial role on February 22, the day after a humiliating 2-0 home loss against St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership.

Clement won the Scottish League Cup during his first campaign in Glasgow and also guided Rangers to the Europa League Round of 16 this season.

But it was the inconsistent league form and the shocking Scottish Cup elimination by Queen’s Park that ultimately led to his dismissal.

Rae, making his first media appearance since departing Rangers last month, shared some insight on the near-18 month period as part of Clement’s backroom staff.

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, the former first-team coach said: “I thought he was tremendous. His work ethic was second to none. He was first in and last out every single day. His attention to detail was second to none as well, and I’ve only got a huge amount of respect for Philippe. I thought he was a great guy.

“Unfortunately, when he come in, for me, it was probably a real transitional period where if you think of the players who went out in the summer; Connor Goldson, John Lundstram, Borna Barisic, and they’ll be an argument to say that they were coming towards the end of their time. Kemar Roofe, guys who had done well to get them to Seville and win them the league title a couple of years ago.

“And what they were trying to do was trying to get sustainable model with buying younger players and then developing them. Similar to what Celtic do really. But in doing that they took a helluva lot of experience out of the camp as well. And these guys were learning on the ground.

“I think there’s a balance to be had with actually getting rid of that much experience.