Kris Boyd: Philippe Clement Needs To Stop Making Excuses And Win Games

Kris Boyd has urged beleaguered Rangers manager Philippe Clement to stop making excuses and concentrate on finishing in the top two. 

Gers are nine points off the pace in the Scottish Premiership table, having already lost three of their 11 games this season – two of which came against joint-leaders Celtic and Aberdeen.

The Light Blues (14/1) still have a better chance of lifting the league trophy ahead of the Dons (16/1), according to football betting sites, but Old Firm rivals Celtic are way ahead at 1/14 despite only topping the table on goal difference.

Former Rangers striker Boyd reckons Clement must try to replicate his side’s European form on the domestic front when they return to action after the international break.

Rangers are 10th in the new 36-team Europa League format at the halfway stage of the eight-match group phase, which means they are in a good position to qualify for the knockouts.

No Progress At Ibrox

In an exclusive interview with Gambling.com, Boyd said: "Philippe Clement has spoken about progression, but I haven't seen it. You can understand it [their poor start in the league] if it was a new team, and there were a lot of bodies to fit in and get used to the way that Rangers play. 

“But you only need to go back a few weeks ago to the Aberdeen game and eight of that starting XI were there last year as well. So he's saying that it's a new team, I don't think it is. There's some new bodies in it. 

"He keeps speaking about a young team, I don't really see that either. There seems to have been a lot of excuses. At the end of the day, you need to get a team on the pitch that’s capable of winning games of football.

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"In Europe, so far Rangers have been a different story. They seem to get themselves up for it and have had some decent performances and results, especially away from home. 

“It’s worrying that they can do it in Europe, considering that Rangers have lost at Aberdeen, Celtic and Kilmarnock - all away from home – yet they are still undefeated on the road in Europe. So that would be a worry. And you would ask, ‘why is that the case?’"

Gers Need Fresh Blood In January

Boyd believes the club should be looking to bring in new recruits in the January transfer window and believes only a few players have shown they are up to the challenge.

When asked which positions Rangers should be looking to strengthen in the New Year, Boyd replied:  “How long have we got? 

“I think there is a lack of speed in Rangers’ play. Maybe that's why Europe suits them, the game's a lot slower, and they're able to adapt to that style. But I do feel as if Rangers need a little bit of pace in the team. I think competition for places is always key. 

"It's kind of stagnated since Rangers won the league a few years ago. It’s been very stale. The signings that have come in haven’t been better than what was already there. 

"Other than Jack Butland and John Souttar, who I think have done really well, any other position, you would look to strengthen it, because I don't think that Rangers are any better than what they were a few years ago."

Miller May Snub Old Firm And Move Abroad

One player Rangers may consider buying is Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller, who has been causing a stir in the Scottish Premiership despite only turning 18 in August.

Miller was reportedly watched by Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa during Scotland U19s’ goalless draw with France.

Rangers and Celtic representatives were also there to watch the teenager, who captained the side at Falkirk.

Although Boyd believes the Old Firm are keeping a close eye on the youngster, he believes Miller may look at the success fellow countrymen Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour have made in Serie A when making a decision on his future.

Boyd said:  "Lennon Miller is an outstanding talent. Whether he ends up at Rangers or Celtic, I'm not sure. He comes from good stock, I played with his dad Lee and he’s done a really good job of looking after his boy. 

“When you've got someone so talented, there might be a chance that his career can get away from him, because he's done so well and everybody's speaking about how good he is. Lennon seems level-headed and he will decide where he goes next. 

"I think that Rangers and Celtic should be looking at him because of the talent that he has. Sometimes there is a snobbery from our bigger clubs to maybe not look at players from lesser clubs in Scotland. 

"If you go back a few years ago it was something that served them [the bigger clubs] all well, going and taking the best players from other clubs.

"But you're looking at finances and what Motherwell will demand for Lennon Miller. It will be a hefty fee now because he's done really well, and rightly so.

“I think both of them would definitely be interested in him, but it’s whether Lennon looks at them and sees it as an opportunity to take his career a step forward. Or maybe he fancies going abroad. 

"Because I think that’s an avenue that's opened up for a lot of Scottish players. When you consider the boys that went to Italy and elsewhere and have done really well, and then seen or been linked with other moves off the back of that. So, there is an opportunity to bypass Rangers and Celtic and go elsewhere. 

"So I don't know where he'll end up, but he's definitely a talented kid that's got the world at his feet right now."  

Runners-Up Spot The Minimum For Rangers

Despite being nine points adrift, Boyd is confident Rangers can haul in Aberdeen, but is not so positive about catching arch rivals Celtic.

Rangers last finished outside the top two in the 2017/18 season when Aberdeen were runners-up for the fourth successive campaign.

Boyd believes the remaining matches against Aberdeen will be crucial, but admits Rangers need to raise their game if they are to overtake Jimmy Thelin’s side.

"Rangers have got to at least finish second,” Boyd said. “It's going to be very difficult to catch Celtic, especially with the way that they play and the style that they're playing. It will be difficult for Rangers to get near that. 

"I still think that Rangers have enough to catch Aberdeen. Although they're nine points ahead right now, there’s a lot of football to be played. They still have to play each other three times as well.

"But there has to be a big improvement from what there's been recently. There might have been a few results and narrow victories picked up, but the performance levels have been nowhere near the level they should be for a Rangers team."

Togetherness Key To Dons Success

Boyd has been very impressed by what he has seen of Aberdeen and believes manager Jimmy Thelin has created a unique atmosphere at Pittodrie which has helped their cause.

The Dons fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Celtic in the league which they followed with a 2-1 victory over Rangers 11 days later.

Their unbeaten run ended with a 6-0 drubbing at Celtic Park in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals, but they are well placed as the season heads towards Christmas.

He said: "Aberdeen have got off to a fantastic start, and they deserve a lot of credit for that. Jimmy Thelin has come in and been able to kick on from where Peter Leven had left them last year. 

"Towards the end of last season, Aberdeen were in a good place. They had managed to pick up a few results. And then with a new manager coming in, there was a feel-good factor around the training ground and club in pre-season. And they've been able to kick on from there. 

"When you go back to the League Cup group stages, I don't think Aberdeen were fantastic in them, but they came out with victories. 

“That was a building block and that togetherness has been able to go on from there. They have been on a terrific run and shown great character. 

"Going to Celtic Park and coming back from 2-0 down to get a 2-2 draw, it was a huge result. Then beating Rangers when they came up to Aberdeen as well. They got battered in that League Cup semi-final against Celtic, there's no getting away from it. 

"But then you’ve got to look at the response. The response against Dundee was very good to bounce back [winning 4-1]. I think Aberdeen have got characters in there. They've got a manager who has got the team playing together. And that togetherness is getting them results. 

"Looking at it right now, I don't see the same at Rangers. Rangers are hoping for a lot of individuals to come up and make things happen. 

“Vaclav Cerny has shown some glimpses of that on the right-hand side, and Nedim Bajrami on the left-hand side. 

“Cyriel Dessers has scored a few goals. But it doesn't seem to have the same collectiveness as Aberdeen."

Thelin Could Dump Dons For Bigger Club

Boyd also thinks Thelin could be destined for bigger and better things if the Swede continues to produce excellent results on a limited budget.

Thelin joined the club in the summer, having caught the eye by leading Elfsborg to a runners-up spot in the Allsvenskan last year.

Boyd added: "There were obviously links from Wolves a few weeks ago. And no disrespect to Aberdeen, but if a smaller club is doing really well, and he’s got aspirations to go on and become like a top manager, which I'm sure Jimmy Thelin has, then it might be something that he'll look at. 

"Let's not get away from it. It's not as if he's got any loyalty to Aberdeen. They've given him an opportunity, but that's because of how well he's done elsewhere. So if a bigger job comes along, then I'm sure he would take it. 

"But I think right now for him, he's fully focused on what he needs to do at Aberdeen. As long as that continues, then he'll do the best he possibly can. You can't help but admire what he's done so far. It's been excellent."