“Philippe Clement’s Moment of Truth: Can He Turn Skeptics into Believers?”
Rangers manager Philippe Clement performed admirably in the Champions League qualifier against Dynamo Kyiv, especially considering some fans’ criticisms that he is clueless and undeserving of his contract extension.
I should clarify that these are not my personal views but rather the sentiments expressed by fans I heard on the radio in the hour before kick-off in Poland last Tuesday evening. This season marks three milestones for me: my 75th birthday, 55 years in the newspaper industry, and 40 years at Radio Clyde. I can’t recall another time when public opinion has shifted so quickly and then been abandoned just as fast.
It’s ironic, then, that Clement, who has faced skepticism from some supporters, asked for the roof to be blown off Hampden in 48 hours’ time. The manager suggested that the outcome of the first leg could be a pivotal moment in Rangers’ season. A victory for Clement would also significantly boost his approval among fans. In 
last week, he appeared calm and confident in his decisions. Clement will need to maintain that composure and confidence on Tuesday, as a highly critical audience evaluates his performance once again.