Raging Rangers punters tell the Hotline 'embarrassing' Philippe Clement is hanging on to job by his toenails

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Philippe Clement blamed a stray toenail for Rangers’ painful Pittodrie setback.

But the Hotline regulars reckon he’s got his fingernails to thank for the fact he’s still clinging onto his job. Rangers’ Belgian boss suffered another damaging defeat to Aberdeen as the Ibrox slipped nine points behind Jimmy Thelin’s team and fellow Premiership pacesetters Celtic.

And the Light Blues legion were just as angry with their manager’s post-match comments as they were with another dismal display. Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, said: “That was an unbelievable comment Philippe Clement came out with in saying that was one of their best performances of the season. When the reality is his job is now hanging by a toenail."

Stuart McLeod, Stepps, said: “Hopefully last night was the end of this sorry board and manager. There is absolutely no direction at Rangers. We have a skeleton board who hide away and a manager in charge of a team with absolutely no strategy. Clement keeps telling us about the new team needing time to gel. I'm sorry Phil, eight of last night's starters were here before you arrived. My season ticket won't be renewed. I can't watch any more of this dross.”

Willie Mercer, Dumfries, said: “Never mind the score and performance turning the fans against Clement. His comments in interviews after the game will have them turning in their droves.

“To claim (A) that Aberdeen did not outplay us and (B) it was one of our best performances is to treat us Rangers fans as football idiots. If Aberdeen had taken their first-half chances, we could have been down four down at the break. To have only turned up for 20 second-half minutes does not constitute a season’s best performance.”

Jimmy Mac, Glasgow, raged: “That must be the final nail in the coffin for Clement, who is clearly out of his depth in Ibrox. Gio Van Bronckhorst and Michael Beale at around the same stage of the season with nine and seven points respectively. I said at the start of the season we would struggle for third place under Clement.

“Ever since Dave King and Steven Gerrard left the club, the board have been crawling around in the dark grasping at straws. They've surrendered title after title with no fight. It must stop now with all the above resigning from Rangers FC as none are fit for purpose.”

Jamie Thompson, Yoker, ranted: “How much longer are the Rangers board going to allow Clement to humiliate and EMBARRASS this club? Rangers supporters have been through hell for the past 10 years. If Clement had any decency, he’d rip up contact and leave.”

Drew Ferguson, Oban, said: “I still truly believe Clement has been dealt a poor hand by the Rangers board. But HE is responsible for £10million worth of recruitment and the team is going backwards.”

But the former Brugge and Monaco gaffer still has some backers in the Ibrox legions. Peter Brown, Thornliebank, said: “Clement could have walked in the summer after being lied to by the board (as was Gerrard & GVB) regarding funds for a forthcoming season.

“He stayed on the condition he was given time to rebuild. I have every faith he is by far the man to rebuild the club after the neglect and mismanagement by the board after winning 55.”

Alan Flett said: “Congratulations to Aberdeen on passing their first big test of the season. However, you've no chance of winning the league and will still finish behind Rangers.”

The Dons celebrated a magnificent win – and so did Gers’ rivals closer to home. Celtic fan Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said after his team’s 2-0 win over Dundee: “Not the best performance from the champions but a comfortable victory and a few players rested.

“But what about the Rangers none points off second, £17million loss last season and their manager thinks it was one of their best performances this season! They really are the gift that keeps on giving!”

Eddie Easson added: “Things go from bad to worse for the Ibrox lot this week. Disastrous accounts, another defeat. Now nine points behind their bitter rivals. Then to top it all Potter says he’s staying at Hogwarts!”

Gordon Ashley, Ayr, said with tongue firmly in cheek: “Rangers fans are so entitled. You can’t just keep on sacking managers. Clement is right, the players need more time to settle and also that that was one of their better performances at Pittodrie.

“It will cost them an utter fortune to pay off him and his staff. Give the guy a chance because he still has an outside chance of taking second place!”

Rangers may be disappearing without trace but it’s still neck and neck between the Dons and Celtic at the top. Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon, said: "I was so disappointed Rangers never got a draw against Aberdeen to help Celtic climb away from the Dons. We’ll just have to do it ourselves."

David Bryce, Troon, emailed in: “Celtic beat Dundee but it was a woeful performance! The midfield and attack, bar Paulo Bernardo, were absolutely woeful and Kyogo’s finishing was awful. Greg Taylor was our worst player, the club must let his contract run out. He’s bang average at best.”

Neil Renton, Leith, called to discuss the battle at the bottom. He said: “It’s sad as a Hibs fan that the mighty Easter Road club are going through a bad spell just now.

"Us Hibees are thankful for small mercies and the fact that we’re not the worst team in the league with that honour belonging to Hearts. Losing at home to Kilmarnock leaves the Gorgie club rooted to the foot of the table, which is quite frankly where they deserve to be. Killie might be famous for their pies but it’s Hearts that are absolute mince.”

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