Rangers remain on track in Premiership chase despite Celtic defeat

The aftermath of an Old Firm defeat is normally a futile time to search for positives. The result is, of course, the only thing that matters. Yet the fixture at Parkhead on Saturday had shifted from one that they simply had to win to one that they could, conceivably, afford to lose. Time will tell if that is the case.

The snapshot does not make for pleasant viewing, but the bigger picture is more pertinent for Rangers and gives a truer reflection of where they have come from, where they are and, most importantly, where they are heading under Clement. The deficit to Celtic has increased by a single point from seven to eight, but the two games in hand – away to Hibernian and at home to Ross County – offer Rangers a chance to move within striking distance during the second half of the campaign.

That is when the pace of the race will really step up. The marathon analogy is one that Clement has repeatedly referenced over his tenure. When that point was made to him at his pre-match press conference on Friday, he replied by using another one of his stock phrases as he spoke about the ‘story’. He asserted that Rangers were ‘in their stride’ ahead of the Celtic fixture and now he must ensure that they are not knocked off it by the first defeat of his reign.

The former Genk and Club Brugge boss has been over the course and distance before. Indeed, it was those experiences and successes in his homeland that convinced the Ibrox board that he was the right man to deliver the 56th league flag. The first impressions of a man who had a stature and nous about him have proven to be accurate, based on the evidence of what Clement has said and done thus far.

Clement inherited a squad that was, and that still is, short of quality and one which was low on confidence. That second factor was addressed immediately, and the mood of a deflated support was raised at the same time as Rangers embarked on a lengthy winning run, including fine victories over Hibernian, Hearts and Sparta Prague.

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The quickfire draws with Aberdeen and Aris Limassol were not part of the plan but they did not have the negative impact that was feared. As Rangers would go on to show, they were capable of not just emerging from adversity but of winning in it. When a depleted squad made history in Seville and then delivered silverware by beating Aberdeen, the feeling that Clement was onto something was hard to shake.

That cannot be lost now that a game has been. The circumstances of the Old Firm defeat clearly irked Clement and the fall-out from the penalty flashpoint involving Abdallah Sima and Alastair Johnston will continue well into the top flight shutdown. The focus for Clement will quickly shift, though.

The Belgian insisted post-match that it was not an opportunity lost for Rangers in a match that was there to be won. He took heart from the ‘quality’ that his side showed in certain moments and it is those positives that he will now take into the visit of Kilmarnock.

“I am going to focus on my team and the most important thing is Tuesday to get the three points again and to build and continue building what the team is doing in the last couple of weeks, couple of months,” Clement said after a fine James Tavernier free-kick proved in vain for a side that had seen Leon Balogun sent off at 2-0 down. “I don’t think two months ago they were ready, with ten players, to show this, or even with eleven to show this, at Celtic Park. We will continue to work hard together with them."

Clement set out his ‘four pillars’ when he sat alongside James Bisgrove, the chief executive officer, inside the Blue Room just eleven weeks ago. His ambition then, as it is now, is to have the best team technically, tactically, physically and mentally in the Premiership. If Rangers can continue working towards those targets, the only metric that really matters will also fall in their favour come the end of the 38 matches.

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Clement has sidestepped any suggestion of title talk throughout his time at Ibrox. He was not, therefore, going to get involved in it in the aftermath of a result that gave Celtic a bit of breathing space. Rangers must now be breathing down their necks.

"I’m not busy talking about that," Clement said. "I told you guys that we are busy with the marathon, I’m busy with making the team better, I’m busy with myself. I’m not busy with other teams and how they are performing. So, I see a team, what they did today they could not have done that two months ago, or even four or five weeks ago. We are going to keep on building and make it better and better."

Rangers must be disappointed but not despondent. The failings that were evident on Saturday and that have permeated the campaign were not manufactured by Clement and he is still working on solving the problems that he found at Ibrox as well as attempting to implement his own style and substance.

The performances and results overall speak for themselves in that regard. Clement has achieved a lot with little so far.

The clarity of his messages, the inclusive feeling that he has fostered around Auchenhowie and the standards that have been set have repeatedly been highlighted by his players. Clement has influenced the individuals and the collective has naturally benefitted but the pace of progress must be picked up now that Rangers have turned for home in the Premiership. A race that was feared over within 90 minutes of the starting gun being pulled is now very much on.

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January gives Rangers a chance to regroup as well as strengthen. The walking wounded must be fit and firing as a matter of urgency, but it will be the arrivals rather than the returns that shape Rangers’ aspirations and that will determine Clement’s fate this season.

The signing of Fabio Silva on loan is an early sign of intent as Clement addresses a key weakness within his side and his squad. Another striker is non-negotiable, while a move for a right-sided forward is also a priority. That would perhaps get Rangers through and get them over the line but further work – at centre-back, left-back and in midfield – will need to be undertaken ahead of Clement’s first full term next time out.

Those thoughts are not for the here and now. A week in La Manga awaits before the return to domestic matters. Rangers can also dare to dream in the Europa League once again.

Twelve months ago, supporters were questioning whether they had enough on the pitch and the right man in the dugout as Beale made his own fast start and his own signings. History has provided the answers. Only one of those points is pertinent right now and there are few doubts over the Belgian boss.

Clement has lasted the distance and burst through the tape three times before. The colour of his next medal, and the colour of the ribbons on the Premiership trophy, will be decided in the final steps of a marathon that could go down to the wire.