Clement picks out Dundee danger-man Rangers have to watch with prolific cup record
09/21/2024 08:30 AM
Rangers return to Premier Sports Cup action this weekend against Dundee, looking to retain the first trophy of Philippe Clement's tenure.
At one point, it looked like the manager could pull off an unbelievable treble only for the wheels to fall off and his squad to be ravaged by injury.
Clement has nearly a fully fit squad for this encounter and will be hoping to kick-start the season by sending the Rangers fans home happy from the first outing at Ibrox this season.
Philippe Clement names Simon Murray as Dundee danger-man
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, the Gers boss picked out who his side has to be wary of as Tony Docherty looks to cause an upset:
"We know it’s a tough game always against a team of Tony who play good physical football.
"They adapt to the opponent and they are strong in the transitions.
"With [Simon] Murray they brought a really good player in that style of play also. He showed that in Ross County last season.
"It’s really important to come back to Ibrox and have a good atmosphere. Yes, but the most important stays what we show on the pitch. That we cannot forget in that way."
With 23 goals last season, Murray played a key role in keeping Ross County in the league in 2023/24.
The 32-year old already has five goals in nine games for Dundee.
Throughout his career, Murray has an incredible 27 goals in 32 games in the league cup alone.
Hopefully, he draws a blank this time though.
Clement wants league cup triumph repeat
Philippe Clement is keen to repeat the feat of last season and make sure that the Premier Sports Cup comes back to the Ibrox trophy room and wants his players to be as driven by silverware as he is:
"It’s about winning trophies. So that’s what I know also and that’s also why a lot of players want to come here.
"It’s not only because of the money. Maybe these days less than it was in the past. So yeah, it’s about that and you want that as a player. That’s what you’re dreaming of.
"At the end of a career, when you stop playing football, those are also the good memories.
"Those are also the things that you remember. The moments you won things, you won trophies, you won big games. Those are the things that will always stay in your mind forever.
"And also, this relationship with the people you win something with."
Clement will have been hugely disappointed with the way last season tailed off after promising so much.
This campaign has started slowly, but the Gers boss has been in the game long enough to know that things can change quickly.
In his own words, it's a marathon not a sprint.
