Interim chairman John Gilligan has reaffirmed confidence in Philippe Clement’s ability to guide the team back to success, despite a challenging start to the season.
Clement’s squad delivered a crucial 6-0 victory over Kilmarnock in their most recent outing, helping to alleviate pressure on the Belgian manager just ahead of the club’s annual AGM.
Rangers have developed a pattern of dismissing managers during the first half of the season, with Michael Beale and Giovanni van Bronckhorst being recent examples. Gilligan acknowledged that he has occasionally made decisions under pressure during tough periods.
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.
“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.”
Former Hibs and Hearts midfielder Danny Swanson has made a striking revelation, alleging that Lee Tomlin “trashed” the Peterborough United dressing room upon learning that his transfer to Celtic had fallen through.
Swanson, who played alongside Tomlin at London Road, shared that the 35-year-old, then a standout player for the Posh, was livid after missing the opportunity to join Neil Lennon’s Celtic side over a decade ago.
Swanson 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 account differs slightly from Darren Ferguson’s version of events, as he claims it was the manager’s office, not the dressing room, that Lee Tomlin allegedly damaged.
Ferguson also noted that Celtic’s bid for Tomlin was rejected by chairman Darragh MacAnthony and clarified that Tomlin was substituted for a lack of effort, not sent off. Reportedly, Tomlin vented his frustration by saying, “I could be playing Barcelona on Tuesday instead of Crawley!”
When questioned about the failed transfer, Tomlin denies any memory of smashing up the Peterborough dressing room.
The former EFL standout eventually left Peterborough in 2014, securing a move to Middlesbrough. However, injuries hindered his progress, leading to a journeyman career that included stints at Bournemouth, Cardiff City, Nottingham Forest, and Doncaster Rovers.
After retiring in 2022, Tomlin returned to football earlier this year as a player-coach for non-league side Ilkeston Town.
