Philippe Clement has warned his Rangers stars they can expect trouble if they copy St Johnstone’s x-rated tackling technique.
The big Belgian was left fuming on Wednesday night when he saw John Lundstram crocked by St Johnstone Diallang Jaiyesimi’s shocking red-card lunge. But he reckons a Dan Phillips challenge on Kieran Dowell that went unpunished was even worse, with his Ibrox ace lucky to escape a broken leg. Despite his anger, the Gers gaffer is adamant he’s seen no evidence to suggest Scottish football has a brutality problem.
And he’s determined to keep the game clean, insisting he won’t stand for roughhouse antics at Ibrox either. He said: “If I see a tackle like that on my team, that player is in trouble also. I don’t want to see these tackles and I think everybody who loves football doesn’t want to see it.” Clement added: “To be honest, I don’t see a difference from other leagues. I don’t see a difference with France, with Belgium or with the Premier League.
“It was the moment to start he was waiting for. I understand why he was disappointed because I also had moments like that in my career. It feels like the sky has dropped on your head at that moment so now we will look for solutions.”
Gers have cut the gap on Celtic back to two points with a game in hand but Clement admits his side must be on their toes if they are to avoid slipping up against the Steelmen tomorrow. “I expect everything,” he said. “We always prepare the team for different scenarios, not for one.
“I don’t want my team to be surprised in whatever way. It doesn’t matter what is the plan on the other side, we will be ready to do what we have to do. It is about small details that are different but I always try to prepare my team for every scenario.”
