As Rangers’ next move under Clement becomes more apparent, it’s difficult to deny that Celtic is now superior—Kenny Miller

As Rangers attempt to advance under their new Belgian manager, our man has a word.

In football, it’s kind of a disappearing art. a midfielder who desires to outpace his striker and sprint ahead to win the ball.

These days, not many of them are around. Wee Colin Cameron was the best for Wolves when I played. The master was him.From the illustrious Ian Durrant to the just departing Scotty Arfield, Rangers have always had them as well. However, I really believe that Philippe Clement wants it on his team right now. And he’s got the ideal fit in Tom Lawrence, who is back from injury just in time. I’ve sat down and watched every Rangers game since Clement took over again over the past several days. I’m examining every detail in an attempt to determine precisely what the Belgian has changed since taking Michael Beale’s place.

I do it not just because of my work as a TV pundit but also because I’m a coach myself. I’m interested in any manager’s tactics but particularly at Ibrox. And Clement definitely wants movement off the ball. You see that clearly when you go back over the footage.

Rangers and Celtics Related Articles

Against Livingston in their last Premiership game – when Lawrence got his first start under the new gaffer – he made three runs beyond Danilo up front in the first 10 minutes. That willingness and desire to get involved and score goals will be key to what Clement wants to achieve at Ibrox this season. I’ve always liked Lawrence as a player but we just haven’t seen the best of him yet at Rangers due to injuries. That might be about to change.

In his first few months last season he either played off the side or as a No.10. What he’s got is a hunger to be IN the game. It’s hard to explain. But watch him. Lawrence is constantly moving and available. He always presents himself as an option for his team-mates.

There aren’t many players in the Rangers squad who want to go beyond a striker but he does. Before he got injured last season he was only 10 games into his Ibrox career and had four goals.

With all due respect to Ryan Kent, that’s more than he was getting over the course of a season. Tom works his socks off for the team and can assist with goals as well.

He’s a really well-rounded player who can play in any of those positions behind the striker. It looks like Clement will go with this 4-2-3-1 system and that set-up is ideal for Lawrence.

When I’ve watched these games back, Danilo’s movement has been excellent. That creates space for someone like Lawrence to exploit.

Even when Rangers don’t have the ball, he’s alive and looking to run into space. It’s the hardest thing for defenders or midfielders to track.

Modern players can’t just think they’re involved in the play when the ball’s at their feet. It’s when they’ve NOT got it
that matters. Someone like Durrant was ahead of his time in that regard. It’s about having an unselfish nature within the game. The player understands the benefits of getting on the ball and potentially getting a goal.

But he also recognises the benefits for the team – which are endless. Lawrence does it brilliantly. And on top of that he’s so hungry for goals, which is vital

He wants to score and create because he has done it everywhere he has been in his career. And when I’m looking for the slightest things that Clement has worked on with his squad, forward movement is definitely one of them.

I’ve been saying for three seasons that it’s something Rangers have lacked because it asks defenders questions and moves backlines around.

I’ve watched the clips intently. The likes of Lawrence, Todd Cantwell and Abdallah Sima are all making runs off the striker. What I’m not seeing is the next part. And this is what the manager will want next. Cohesion. That’s what pulls teams apart. And I hate to say it but it’s probably what separates Celtic and Rangers right now.

Across the city they’ve had real cohesion in their play for a while under Ange Postecoglou and now Brendan Rodgers. The players understand the movements of each other. That’s why Celtic have an energy within their attack – there are two or three things happening at once.

Look at Kyogo Furuhashi’s goal against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League at Parkhead. It’s the perfect example, in terms of his link-up with Matt O’Riley. It was almost telepathic.

In my opinion, that is the next phase of Clement and his Rangers team’s offensive development. It has to do with the players getting to know one another. Once you understand it, it comes naturally to you.

While Philippe’s reign has only lasted six weeks, I’m seeing indications of it at Rangers. Now that the forward running has improved, the question is, what comes next? Hopefully, over this hiatus, they have made progress toward that togetherness. And a week from now at Pittodrie, we might even witness the results in the league matchup versus Aberdeen.

Read more news on sportupdates.co.uk