“It’s not about me,” Philippe Clement said smiling midway through his post-match media briefing in the bowels of Hampden last night, after securing a first piece of silverware just two months into the job at Ibrox.

“It’s about the players. They’ve done it. I didn’t kick one ball or do one sprint or one tackle. It’s been the players.”

Rangers’ historic few days, defeating Real Betis to earn a first win over Spanish opposition on Spanish soil and top their Europa League group before finally returning a 28th League Cup with a 1-0 win over Aberdeen, is not solely about Clement. And yet, it could not have been achieved without him. Getting over the line in cup competitions has been far from a speciality in recent seasons at Ibrox - it’s been a hurdle that’s tripped up and traumatised the club too often. Games Rangers ‘should’ve won’ have often not ended in victory.

Clement’s biggest achievement to date has arguably not been either yesterday’s League Cup triumph or topping the Europa League group. The Belgian has changed perceptions and built belief, breathing life into a season that appeared dead after a number of matches. After 14 games the situation Clement inherited appears unrecognisable.

You can’t ignore the optics in Glasgow and Celtic’s two successive league defeats have offered a way back into the title race and altered the overall mood. Unlike in seasons gone by, Rangers now look in a position to apply pressure when opportunity presents itself. Depending on a result in the upcoming Old Firm, Clement’s side could go top of the table by winning their games in hand. That’s a statement that felt very far away when he inherited a broken relationship between players and fans only a matter of weeks ago.

Rangers were confident that in securing Clement, they’d acquired a manager with the stature and experience their situation required. They couldn’t afford to rip things up and start again or write this season off as transitional. The Ibrox board needed someone with experience of steadying ships, improving players and, crucially, winning.

“Games like today can be frustrating against a team that makes it so difficult on a boggy pitch - it’s all about winning and the manager has been crystal clear that in games like this, we win them,” surmised Todd Cantwell on RangersTV after the match.

So often, variations of this side have been the ones watching the trophy lift rather than participating in it at Hampden. Even when performances have warranted more, even when total domination was enjoyed in the league three seasons ago, winning has not become habitual in cup competitions. Although still so early in his Ibrox career, Clement looks like he can be the figurehead who changes that story and corrects its path.

When interviewed for the position the Belgian explained that a second title at Club Brugge was the most important of his career. Why? Not only did it show that he could win titles, but that he could do so in succession. For the first time in a long time, there’s an experienced winner with a proven track record of trophies in the manager’s dugout at Ibrox, and days like yesterday show it.

Although Rangers were never truly out of control against Aberdeen it took them time to establish ownership. Much of this tie was scrappy and defined by second balls with Aberdeen’s man-for-man press stunting build-up and conditions playing a part. Barry Robson’s side had dangerous moments that normally originated from set-pieces as Leon Balogun and Connor Goldson tended to negate the threat of a front two which troubled them on a recent trip to Pittodrie.

Dujon Sterling, playing out of position, was outstanding. There was only one cheap surrender of possession in the first half which was an outlier in the 23-year-old’s overall game. John Lundstram’s engine required an almighty shift and the midfielder managed things well on a yellow card. His 'Best on Earth' song reappearing on matchdays is indicative of how the mood has shifted since October.

After half-time the tide started to turn. Abdallah Sima played closer to Cyriel Dessers and Cantwell grabbed hold of the game to knit together attacks. Clement’s men earned the territory they needed to build pressure even if it would take a standout moment from, you know who, to decide things.

Having noticed Ross McCausland getting on the end of crosses at the back post and knowing he had the defensive-minded Dujon Sterling covering in midfield, James Tavernier took off when Borna Barisic hit the touchline around 77 minutes. The left-back created a chance from a throw-in, just like in midweek against Betis.

READ MORE: How Rangers beat Betis: Throw-in margins, plane meetings and belief

Scott Wright had only just replaced McCausland and immediately played in a narrower position, enabling Tavernier to attack the back post freely.

Notice in the frame before the goal, Tavernier is nowhere to be seen, arriving late to hit the net. 

Wright’s positioning is occupying Aberdeen’s middle centre-back, Rubezic, while Jensen and McGarry focus their attention on Dessers at the back post. Instead of McCausland attacking a cross at the back post, Tavernier arrives to finish his fellow full-back’s delivery.

Whether a deliberate ploy or coincidental, the substitution proved effective and changed the configuration of players attacking the box.

“The big moments usually belong to him,” Goldson said of his teammate. So often, too often, the 32-year-old has carried the responsibility of others and paid the price for doing so. When looking to identify problematic patterns in the past few seasons at Rangers, the right-back has not been one. Tavernier has frequently been Rangers’ solution. They need more players like him, not less.

His leadership has been questioned but what’s easier, shouting for the effect or leading by example? What would teammates rather and why have so many managers at Ibrox leaned so heavily on Tavernier at Ibrox?

The full-back should have more trophies to date and in this new chapter under Clement silverware looks more likely. What Tavernier has, and what cannot be taken away from his legacy, are a number of moments that few can match. Yesterday was another welcome entry for those in blue at Hampden.

Full-time triggered emotional scenes for players experiencing their first trophy at Rangers or getting over heartbreak experienced before. Clement hurled the silverware aggressively as if ready to throw it into Hampden’s West Stand and allowed himself to enjoy a moment without the robotic focus which is usually in full view.

“No day off,” laughed Dessers in the mixed zone when asked what the manager’s message has been post-match. Attention today will quickly turn back to the next match, a home tie with St Johnstone on Wednesday. There are more trophies to be chased. 

In 14 games Clement’s impact has proved exceptional. The upturn at Ibrox is not all about the Belgian, but you can guarantee it would not have been achieved without him.

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