Philippe Clement faces uncertainty over his starting lineup for the upcoming Scottish Cup Final against Celtic due to injuries plaguing almost half of his team. Following a 3-3 draw with Hearts in the final Premiership game, where Rangers finished eight points behind their rivals, Clement gave some much-needed playing time to certain players.
Nevertheless, the Belgian manager remains unsure about his team’s availability for the final clash at Hampden. Despite the return of some key players like John Lundstram and hopeful recoveries like Leon Balogun’s, Clement is left in the dark regarding his starting eleven. He emphasized the need to consult with the medical and performance staff to assess player fitness and playing time.
Clement is hesitant to confirm any starting lineups or player statuses before the critical match, indicating his ongoing struggle with injury uncertainties. Despite Rangers’ failure to beat Celtic in their previous encounters this season, Clement remains optimistic about his team’s chances to clinch the trophy and finish the season on a high note.
Lauding the effort and determination displayed by his players against Hearts, especially by young winger Ross McCausland, Clement is hopeful that his team will perform to their full potential in the upcoming final. Despite a disappointing 3-3 draw against Hearts in the last game, Clement remains focused on learning from the experience and making necessary adjustments before the final showdown with Celtic.
It was a frustrating start to the match to find ourselves trailing 1-0 against the run of play, especially considering the promising opportunities we had to take the lead.
However, the team’s response in the second half was commendable. We managed to find the back of the net three times, though it was disheartening to see two goals slip through in the final 10 minutes. Had Ben Davies remained on the field, we may have prevented those late goals.
Credit must be given to Hearts for their efficiency today. Despite only having four shots on target, they capitalized on three of them. While it’s crucial to highlight the positives, such as Ross’s impactful goal and increased playing time, it’s unfortunate that he now faces an extended period on the sidelines following an injury just as he was hitting his stride.
A contentious moment arose in the first half as Rangers were denied a penalty after Cyriel Dessers appeared to be fouled by Hearts’ Frankie Kent in the box. I strongly believed it was a clear foul, and it’s puzzling why it was not awarded. Nevertheless, my faith in VAR remains intact, and I trust that the decision-making process will improve, looking forward to a more accurate system come Saturday’s fixtures.
