Philippe Clement to Address Fitness Concerns at Rangers
Philippe Clement is committed to improving player fitness at Rangers, bringing in top experts to tackle the ongoing issues, according to Derek Ferguson. Chris Jack reported on July 17 for *Rangers Review* that changes were anticipated behind the scenes after Clement expressed frustration with the team’s fitness levels.
In an interview with *Rangers Review* on July 15, Clement confirmed these changes but refrained from providing specifics out of respect for the previous medical staff. Ferguson was surprised by Clement’s evident frustration upon taking over from Michael Beale and finds it concerning that a club of Rangers’ stature was lagging in fitness standards.
Ferguson emphasized the necessity of these changes, stating, “It’s been a problem over the last few seasons. When Clement took over, his frustration with the players’ fitness was quite shocking. With today’s advanced facilities and sports science, it’s disturbing to see fitness levels not up to par.
Clement, who is known for his thorough approach, will undoubtedly bring in top professionals, including doctors, sports scientists, and physios. Expect significant improvements in the fitness department as a result.”
Philippe Clement Displeased with Rangers’ Condition After Michael Beale’s Departure
Philippe Clement’s reforms at Rangers are urgently needed as persistent injury problems have severely impacted the team in recent seasons. The club has faced significant disadvantages due to frequent injuries, prompting the release of Kemar Roofe and Ryan Jack this summer due to the high risk of recurring unavailability. Even a proposed pay-as-you-play deal for Jack was deemed impractical.
While some injuries are unavoidable, the frequent absences of players like Tom Lawrence, Ridvan Yilmaz, John Souttar, Danilo, Kieran Dowell, Ianis Hagi, Oscar Cortes, and Abdallah Sima highlight a deeper issue. Clement faces a challenging task at Ibrox but hopes that improvements in the medical department will help address this ongoing problem and reduce the number of injuries affecting the squad.