Philippe Clement in Rangers warning over brutal tackles as he doubles down on flashpoint WORSE than Lundstram lunge
The midfielder faces a spell on the sidelines following the heavy challenge from Diallang Jaiyesimi.
Philippe Clement has warned his Rangers stars they can expect trouble if they copy St Johnstone’s x-rated tackling technique.
The big Belgian was left fuming on Wednesday night when he saw John Lundstram crocked by St Johnstone Diallang Jaiyesimi’s shocking red-card lunge. But he reckons a Dan Phillips challenge on Kieran Dowell that went unpunished was even worse, with his Ibrox ace lucky to escape a broken leg. Despite his anger, the Gers gaffer is adamant he’s seen no evidence to suggest Scottish football has a brutality problem.
And he’s determined to keep the game clean, insisting he won’t stand for roughhouse antics at Ibrox either. He said: “If I see a tackle like that on my team, that player is in trouble also. I don’t want to see these tackles and I think everybody who loves football doesn’t want to see it.” Clement added: “To be honest, I don’t see a difference from other leagues. I don’t see a difference with France, with Belgium or with the Premier League.
“I said after that game that I was boiling because everyone has seen the tackle on John. It is a red card and the red card is given. You are not happy that one of your players is kicked off the field.
“I said also after the game that Kieran Dowell was really lucky. I don’t know if you guys looked back at that image but that was even worse than the red card on Lundstram.
“So it was about that and for the rest of the game, nothing to say about crazy tackles or crazy things that happened on the pitch. I don’t want to say that Motherwell or another team or Scottish league is more brutal or whatever.
“But the action with Kieran Dowell I saw after the game and can be sure. I saw it from the bench already but when I see it afterwards, it is a very dangerous tackle. If his foot is on the ground his leg is broken. I want to avoid that with my players, I think every manager wants avoid that with his players also.”
Lundstram was sent flying after his brush with Jaiyesimi and is now a major doubt to feature in Gers’ four remaining game before the winter break - including next week’s Old Firm clash at Celtic Park. Kemar Roofe is also in the same boat after limping off just 15 minutes into his first start since October.
The injury-plagued frontman looked distraught as he made his way down the tunnel but Clement has vowed to support the striker as they look for a solution to his fitness woes. Speaking ahead of his side’s Christmas Eve trip to Motherwell, the Ibrox boss said: “I’m most disappointing for Kemar, because he’s doing everything to avoid it.
“He felt really good and we’re now assessing what the reason is and looking deeply into detail. We want to find solutions for him. Everybody is really disappointed for him because it’s the worst thing for him.”
Clement admitted Roofe’s latest set-back could affect his plans for the January window as he added: “We’ll discuss it in the club. Firstly we will see the situation with Kemar and how long he will be out. It was a big blow because he’s so hungry to come in and get his minutes.
“It was the moment to start he was waiting for. I understand why he was disappointed because I also had moments like that in my career. It feels like the sky has dropped on your head at that moment so now we will look for solutions.”
Gers have cut the gap on Celtic back to two points with a game in hand but Clement admits his side must be on their toes if they are to avoid slipping up against the Steelmen tomorrow. “I expect everything,” he said. “We always prepare the team for different scenarios, not for one.
“I don’t want my team to be surprised in whatever way. It doesn’t matter what is the plan on the other side, we will be ready to do what we have to do. It is about small details that are different but I always try to prepare my team for every scenario.”