Philippe Clement wants Rangers to embrace hectic fixture list

Philippe Clement will not allow fixture list excuses as his Rangers squad continue through a relentless schedule.

The Light Blues overcame Dundee 1-0 at Ibrox on Saturday to move into second place in the William Hill Premiership behind leaders Celtic, who drew 0-0 against Dundee United at Tannadice a day later to leave them nine points clear at the top.

After travelling to St Mirren on Boxing Day, Rangers finish the year with a trip to Fir Park on December 29 to play Motherwell before hosting Old Firm rivals Celtic on January 2.

With no winter break this season and Rangers still in the newly-expanded Europa League, Clement is aware of the ongoing challenges in the New Year but wants to embrace them.

Clement said: “This is the first time in the history of football that this has happened so we need to have a squad that’s physically and mentally ready for that.

“The more you complain about it, the more excuses you have, and I don’t want to give excuses to the team because they all want to play football, they all want to win things.

“It’s like running a marathon but only wanting to run 20 miles. Those are the rules, that’s what was decided. Is it good for football? I don’t think so and everybody agrees with that but we need to focus on ourselves and be ready.

“And in that way it can be an advantage for our group of players that there needs to be a rotation. It means everybody has to be on their toes, ready to show themselves as there is more opportunity to get chances.

“But then you need the depth in your squad to keep the same quality and that’s going to be the challenge for us in the next few weeks.”

Clement believes winning individual battles will be key to success over St Mirren.

The Belgian noted that Stephen Robinson’s side battled to a 2-1 win at Ross County at the weekend despite playing with 10 men for most of the second half after Scott Tanser was sent off in the 55th minute.

The former Genk, Club Brugge and Monaco boss anticipates a tough test in Paisley but is confident his players are ready.

He said: “We know St Mirren is a big challenge. It’s a team with lots of physicality and a manager who always prepares his team really well.

“We know it’s going to be a tough battle and we’ll need to compete to win and then you can show your football quality. If you don’t win your duels, you’ll get into trouble.

“Don’t forget that Nico Raskin was injured for eight to nine months so it’s impossible to be at your best after that long out right away.

“(Mohamed) Diomande is here less than a year. He had to adapt to things. (Connor) Barron knows the league but is still a young player who can still grow, that’s normal.

“The three of them are in the midfield and it’s important to win the duels, it’s important in Scotland.

“People always say this about Scotland but the Belgian league is also the same, in the French league it was the same. It’s not as if you don’t have physicality there.

“You need it in every league. I think in every good league it’s a big part of football, an important part of football. If you don’t have the basics by winning these duels, you have problems.”