Rangers fans shed few tears when Giovanni van Bronckhorst was dismissed in November 2022. While his departure was necessary, the Dutchman still left behind some goodwill, having led the team to the Europa League final in 2021-22 and being a well-regarded figure from his playing days at Ibrox. Despite the inevitability of his exit, there was at least a sense of respect for his contributions.

Since then, however, Rangers have struggled to recapture former glories. Michael Beale, once a key member of Steven Gerrard’s title-winning coaching staff, failed to bring success back to the club. His tenure was a disappointing attempt to rebuild the team.

Philippe Clement’s arrival initially brought renewed hope. The Belgian manager lifted the Scottish League Cup and reignited Rangers’ title aspirations. But the early optimism has since faded. Although the recent 4-1 victory over Nice was a much-needed highlight, the team remains 11 points behind Celtic in the Premiership.

Interestingly, Clement might find some irony in reports that Van Bronckhorst is on the brink of being sacked by Besiktas following a 3-1 defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv in European competition. As per the Daily Record (28 November), Van Bronckhorst, who still has a degree of respect among Rangers fans, appears to be facing another managerial setback.

For Clement, the impressive win against Nice has bought him some breathing room, but it won’t silence all doubts. Changes at the boardroom level and the continued scrutiny from supporters mean the pressure will remain. Yet for now, Clement can take solace in the fact that he has managed to steady the ship, at least temporarily.

Football’s unpredictability is evident in the contrasting fortunes of Clement and Van Bronckhorst. While Clement’s future at Rangers remains uncertain, his recent success has provided a reprieve. As for Van Bronckhorst, his struggles at Besiktas may mark the end of another challenging chapter in his managerial career.

For Rangers, the focus now will be maintaining momentum and ensuring that Clement’s recent success is not just a fleeting moment in a season filled with ups and downs.