PHILIPPE Clement has been in the football game long enough as a player, manager, and coach to know what obstacles a promising young player would face when he first makes his breakthrough.
At Auchenhowie on Friday, the Rangers manager remarked, “You get a lot of new friends.” “And women who are girlfriends! Or they try, anyway!”
However, Clement is completely unconcerned with Ross McCausland, who this season has been thrown into the spotlight overnight, losing his focus and giving in to the perks of celebrity.
Since his appointment last month, the Belgian has given the 20-year-old plenty of first team experience. A fortnight ago, he started the Premiership match against Livingston at Almondvale, which was a decisive victory.
During the international break, the winger made his debut for Northern Ireland in their Euro 2024 qualifying match against Finland in Helsinki thanks to his impressive performances for the Glasgow club.
McCausland’s contract expires at the end of the 2023–2024 season, and there have been rumors in the media that clubs in the south and elsewhere are interested in signing him for a low price the following summer.
However, Clement is confident that his talented protégé would consent to sign a contract extension with Rangers and continue to grow in Govan in the coming months and years. Clement’s team returns to action today afternoon with a league match against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Having managed youth teams at Beveren, Genk, Club Brugge, and Monaco, he is certain that his experience will enable him to reach his enormous potential.
But in his brief tenure as Rangers manager, he has been pleased with the County Antrim-born midfielder’s maturity as well as his athleticism and talent, so he is not worried about him becoming distracted.
Naturally, keeping him focused is a component of his job description, he said. “In my managerial career, this is not the first instance. At past clubs, I gave young players a lot of chances because they demonstrated quality.
Among the young players I’ve met before, he’s one of the individuals who needs it the least. Working hard and keeping his feet firmly planted, he made it onto the national squad. However, he returned to be the same youngster. Those are incredibly valuable attributes for his future.
Clement is adamant that staying at Rangers, where he has spent the last four years rising through the development levels, is the best course of action for McCausland. Rangers takes on Aris Limassol in the Europa League on Thursday night.
He remarked, “So I’ve had a lot of conversations like this, the same as I’m having with Ross right now.” “It seems obvious to me that Ross is in an ideal situation right now.
“He’s completed every step out of the academy and now belongs to a club. Additionally, his manager has faith in him. A manager who not only says but also demonstrates this by granting him the minutes he is allotted.
He still has a lot to learn here at Rangers, but he’s close to home with his family. To advance and become a great player, he still has a lot to learn. We’ll see what transpires over the next several days, but I believe this is the ideal situation for me to resign here.
The fates of three Rangers mainstays, Ryan Jack, John Lundstram, and left back Borna Barisic, whose contracts at Ibrox expire at the end of the season, have also been a major concern for Clement.
He emphasized that it will be simpler for him to make decisions about his charges’ personal lives the more of them he watches during practice and games.
READ MORE: Rangers coach Philippe Clement gives his team a challenging 12-game goal
He remarked, “We’re busy talking about January and about next season in the club.” Now is the time to take action. We’re working hard on the following season’s recruiting. Yes, that is a requirement of the job. I continue to learn more about the players and observe more aspects of their personalities. Consequently, the choice picked will be better.”
In large portions, yes, he replied when asked if he knew what he wanted to do during the January transfer window. Not in the smallest details, as these 12 games (till the winter break) will reveal a lot about me.
“Making significant decisions after four weeks is risky. In general, though, I am aware that I need to bring greater balance to this team. As you can see, I have a lot of players—possibly too many—in some positions. I also don’t have enough for a lengthy run of games at other positions.
“I need those things in order to get the equilibrium. Additionally, it’s critical for the club’s future that we avoid having too many players on the field who are not under contract. That is not how things usually work.
Taking full advantage of the international holiday, Clement and his spouse enjoyed a quick trip to the Highlands. However, he is excited about Rangers’ impending return to action and their demanding schedule of games over the holiday season. There is no other way he would have it.
“I consider myself fortunate that all of my teams—aside from my first team—have competed in Europe,” he remarked. “It has always been busy because we have performed throughout Europe several times after January.
We had previously played in Europe for ten years with Bruges as players. There was also the national team’s football match. I adore this time of year. Some players have told me that they enjoy this more than a lot of practice sessions. I’m not sure if my training sessions have anything to do with it.
Having these obstacles every few days is a wonderful thing because it’s part of the work. Making wise choices is essential to ensuring that the players are fully prepared. Every day, from the moment they enter the premises until late at night, if there is an event, we are in their presence. I cherish that existence.
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