Everything Cyriel Dessers said, supporters, and Philippe Clement said in the post-match Q&A

Everything Cyriel Dessers said, supporters, and Philippe Clement said in the post-match Q&A

After Rangers defeated Ross County to close the deficit at the top of the Scottish Premiership to just one

goal, manager Philippe Clement praised his team.

Even though the Ibrox manager’s team was unable to score the game-winning goal that would have lifted

them to the top of the Scottish Premier League, they have officially closed the 10-point deficit between

the Old Firm and Steven Davis’ interim leadership.

In a show of utter domination, Rangers had a quite remarkable 43 shots in the match, 23 on target, but

the team couldn’t muster better than a 3-1 victory over the Staggies at Ibrox.

Here’s everything Philippe Clement had to say in a post-match press conference as Rangers got the

victory over Ross County.

Philippe Clement post-match press conference – Rangers v Ross County

Philippe, how did you see that one tonight?

“I think for sure in my period but I think all season it’s our game with most shots on target. What stays

the most important in football; 23 they told me. I see a team growing week-by-week, month-by-month.

Of course, you cannot become better game-after-game there is always something that can happen, you’re

opponents are also different. But we had wave after wave of attacks, good possession play, good runs

together, good tempo, good shot, but we had a goalkeeper also on the other side maybe had the evening

of his life and a few times luck also on his side.

So it could’ve been much more today but of course as a manager you need to be happy, although I’m not

so fast happy, with the 3-1 victory because I cannot ask more of my players than what they are doing

now. I believe every supporter who was in the stadium today and four months ago would say, ‘What a

difference’ for all of the players on the field. So this is the thing we need to accomplish now and the next

few of months, to continue doing what we’ve been doing and then we’re going to take a lot of points.

However, it is important to put in the effort on a daily basis.

Can you believe it was just three goals, given the number and quality of chances you produced tonight?

“Yeah, but I think our finishing was also not too awful when you have 23 shots on goal, but it’s only by

centimetres. We can improve in that area, and we can still boost our level to be more exact, but those are

the following phases. I believe the team has already taken a number of steps, including increased focus,

which has been there for several weeks or months because it remains an important aspect of football.

But you can’t ask much more of the players, where they are now, in the period we have  been working

together.”

You stated that you will not look at the league table after this game.

“Everybody tells me so I know, that’s a little bit of a pity.”

How eager were you for the squad to achieve its next goal?

“Yeah, but it’s more about feeling the momentum, making wave after wave of attacks, playing good

football, creating chances, and knowing the moment is still there to score the additional goal. And this

has nothing to do with ranking; it is something I desire in every game. There may also be games that

require you to control and stop the game at that point. It also depends on the game, the opponent, and

what they’re doing ,so it’s about doing the right things at the right moment.”

Fans appeared nervous at the stadium tonight, possibly due to the league position.

“I think they are really happy with the situation in the league.”

Sometimes they need to be a little more patient.

“Yes, it is correct, but I discussed it with the team before the game. That is normal; that is being a fan.

Perhaps we should talk about it more with the supporters. It doesn’t help, but our athletes must be

strong enough to remain focused on themselves and not grow worried. I didn’t have the feeling on the

pitch that it happened today, but that is the danger. If you begin to live the  life of fans on the field then

you will not reach your goals so we need to step out of that. I am really proud the way the players did

that today because they never became nervous they only showed hunger and ambition for more and

more and more.”

Do you believe the squad is in a solid position to win the title?

“It depends on how many points the other teams take. I am solely concerned with one thing: getting as

many points as possible. And if we keep doing what we’ve been doing for the past four months, everyone

else will have to work really hard to get there as well, which is exactly what we want to do. I’m here

because, as I previously stated, I want to win rewards. We already have one, which is great, and we are

ambitious for more, as is everyone in the dressing room. However, in the end, the only thing you have

control over is yourself and the  points you take so we need to keep focused on that, that’s the only thing

that’s important. Not only in one competition but in three and we are the only team in Scotland who is in

three competitions, so that’s also interesting to do that in a really good way.”

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