Philippe Clement acknowledges that there were a couple of instances reminiscent of Fabio Silva during the clash with Celtic that caught him off guard.
Despite this observation, the Rangers manager has come to the defense of the 21-year-old forward, who has faced significant backlash following the recent 3-3 draw.
Fabio Silva’s actions on the field against Celtic, including what some Rangers supporters deem unsportsmanlike behavior, did not win him many admirers.
The controversy surrounding Silva’s overturned yellow card for simulation, which VAR replays revealed as a clear foul by Alistair Johnston, has also sparked widespread criticism.
For Philippe Clement, these incidents represent a part of Fabio Silva’s growth as he adapts to life in Glasgow as a loanee from Wolves.
Showing his support for Fabio Silva
In the early stages of his tenure at Rangers, Philippe Clement has established himself as a strong leader.
The Belgian manager exudes authority, calmness, and fairness in his approach to handling analysis and pressure.
When it comes to addressing the situation with Fabio Silva, Clement is not willing to join the chorus of criticism surrounding his first Ibrox signing. Instead, he asserts that Silva was subjected to rough treatment by Celtic players.
While acknowledging that certain instances of exaggeration are unwelcome, Clement reveals that he has had a conversation with the forward.
By encouraging Fabio Silva to learn from the experience, Philippe Clement reinforces his support for the young player.
Clement mentioned, “There were two incidents where I wasn’t pleased with him, and I addressed those with him today. He needed to be stronger in those challenges but unfortunately wasn’t. On the other hand, there were moments where he was clearly fouled. He had visible cuts on his calves from studs. I spoke to him about the instances where he could have stayed on his feet but chose to go down. We shouldn’t start crafting a negative narrative around him based on a few incidents as he has shown character in other matches. He’s a young player growing emotionally. I believe he will learn from this and improve.”
Regarding Fabio Silva’s performance against Celtic, Philippe Clement opined, “It was his first Old Firm experience, and it’s normal for a player in that situation to face challenges. Our discussion was positive, and he comprehended the feedback. This is all part of his development as a player and as an individual. These are valuable lessons for him.”
In light of the criticism aimed at Fabio Silva post the Celtic game, his response will be crucial in addressing the concerns raised by supporters and critics alike.
Fabio Silva has found himself at the center of intense scrutiny from Celtic following the draw with Rangers.
Criticism poured in from Celtic legend Chris Sutton, who went as far as accusing Silva of “cheating,” leading to a heated exchange with Graeme Souness.
Brendan Rodgers, the Celtic manager, supported the referee’s decision to issue Silva a yellow card for “simulation.”
Despite conflicting views, the referees’ union largely agreed that the penalty awarded was justified, indicating that Rangers, not Celtic, might have valid reasons to feel aggrieved.
The contentious decision to disallow Cyriel Dessers’ goal added to the drama, with VAR intervening and overturning the on-field referee John Beaton’s ruling of a fair play.
According to Philippe Clement, this incident should serve as a learning curve for Fabio Silva.
Rangers could benefit from Silva’s skill and physical presence in future encounters, but to outperform Celtic, Silva needs to focus on scoring goals.