‘Under duress’ - Rangers chairman gives Clement verdict as failed Celtic move leads to ‘smashed dressing room’
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Interim chairman John Gilligan insists that Philippe Clement is still trusted to lead the team back to the top despite a difficult start to the campaign.
Clement’s side celebrated a vital 6-0 win over Kilmarnock last time out to ease scrutiny surrounding the Belgian’s long-term future on the eve of the club’s annual AGM meeting.
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Hide AdRangers have recently picked up a habit of sacking managers in the first half of the season as highlighted by two previous instances with Michael Beale and Giovanni Van Bronckhost and Gilligan admits that he has at times acted under duress when things have been difficult.
Speaking at the AGM, he said: “We have history of making decisions under duress mid season. We wanted the manager to have comfort that he had time to bring in younger players. Time will tell if it’s right decision but we stand by it."
Clement joined the chairman at the AGM and also gave fans an indication of what to expect in the January transfer window.
He added: “It’s good to have this meeting and numbers are very clear. Decisions had to be made to make club sustainable and avoid taking club into dangerous place as was before. We’ve spoken about rebuild. People can see the numbers now. But the legacy of Rangers is winning. The day we lower that bar, Rangers is not Rangers anymore.
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Hide Ad“That’s my message in dressing room. We need to keep this culture in club. It’s true things in football are decided by money. The more you have the more you can buy. But it’s also about hard work and we’re working really hard to get a better team.
“Last night was good but it wasn’t just a special performance to help me in the AGM today. We work to improve constantly.”
EFL fan favourite ‘smashed up’ dressing room after failed Celtic move
Former Hibs and Hearts midfielder Danny Swanson has sensationally claimed that Lee Tomlin ‘smashed up’ the Peterborough United dressing room after finding out that his move to Celtic had collapsed.
The Leith-born midfielder played alongside Tomlin at London Road and admits that the 35-year-old, who was starring for the Posh at the time was furious that he missed out one the chance to join Neil Lennon’s team more than a decade ago.
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Hide AdSwanson told the Open Goal podcast: “With Tommo, Celtic were desperate for him,” began Swanson. “And he was desperate to go. I said to him, 'Mate, you've got to go.' He tried (but it didn't happen).
“He smashed up the dressing room (when the move collapsed). He smashed the fridge! It was before a game, then he went out and played.
“Tommo would just say what was on his mind, so he said they'd turned down this bid from Celtic and then he played. Now when I say played, he walked about. Walked about, then got sent off. Straight red.”
This story differs slightly to what Darren Ferguson recalled of the incident, with him claiming it was the manager’s office that was smashed up instead.
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Hide AdThey confirmed that MacAnthony rejected Celtic's bid but they said it was the manager's office rather than the changing room he messed up, and they also said Tomlin was subbed (for lack of effort) rather than sent off.
Apparently he told them “I could be playing Barcelona on Tuesday instead of Crawley!”
When asked about the failed move, Tomlin claims he has no recollection of smashing up the Peterborough dressing room.
The former EFL hero eventually got his move away from Peterborough in 2014 when he joined Middlesbrough.
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Hide AdUltimately injuries hampered Tomlin’s progress and the Leicester born midfielder had a nomadic career which saw him play for several English side’s including Bournemouth, Cardiff City, Nottingham Forest and Doncaster Rovers.
He hung up his boots in 2022 but returned to football earlier this year to become player/coach at non league side Ilkeston Town.
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