New Rangers manager Philippe Clement on catching Celtic, technical director and winning
- Published
'A season is like a marathon - it's no use to sprint after the guy in front'
New manager Philippe Clement says he wants "dominant football and to win everything" at Rangers - but admits he is "not a magician with a wand".
The 49-year-old has succeeded Michael Beale, who was sacked this month.
Rangers trail Celtic by seven points in the Scottish Premiership and face a fight to progress in the Europa League.
But Clement said: "I want to win everything. My objectives are always to win. I want this mentality for the dressing room and create more winners."
The former Belgium midfielder added: "We will work really hard to win silverware as quickly as possible. I don't have a crystal ball and I'm not a magician with a wand, but I know we can make the players better."
The former Club Bruges, Genk and Monaco head coach has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract and is set to soon be joined at Ibrox by a new technical director.
Rangers CEO James Bisgrove said Clement will be consulted over the appointment, adding that "I believe it will be imminent".
Clement said the imminent appointment of a technical director was one of the reasons he feels confident he is joining a club with a long-term plan.
His predecessors Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Michael Beale lasted less than two years between them at Ibrox.
But Clement said: "We spoke about the sporting director and what the role is and it gave me the feeling this is the right club to be at.
"I believe in the potential of this club. It was very clear in my talks - it was not only a fantastic story about how big the club is but also the things they have struggled with and what they need to change.
"We have a lot of work to do but we are very motivated to make changes. Clearly there are things to improve or I wouldn't be here."
Clement, a Belgian title winner with Genk and Club Bruges, takes the Rangers helm after 18 months at Monaco
Clement, who said he is considering who to add to his backroom staff and that former midfielder Steven Davis is in his thoughts, believes Rangers can reel in Celtic in the Premiership.
"It's not an advantage to be seven points behind, of course, but we need to be focused on ourselves," he said.
"It's a marathon - there's no use going for one big sprint and then be tired. It's not about the next two or three games, it's about a lot of games in a lot of competitions.
"I like dominant football. I did it in Belgium. To play attacking football with a lot of changing of positions, but with a good structure so you don't lose stupid goals on transition."
Signings in January?
Clement, who was sacked by Monaco in June after 18 months in charge when they finished sixth in Ligue 1, wants to "use the next weeks and months" to work with his squad before considering new signings.
"I don't want 10 new players every year and make lots of changes. I want to find how to get the best out of people," he said.
However, the new Ibrox boss also added that "some positions might need to be strengthened and we'll make the big decisions".
He emphasised he will "work day and night with the players" to inject confidence into a squad that Clement said "started to do the wrong things" in adversity this season.
"I want players who are not afraid to fail, to make mistakes. There is not one team in the world who does not make mistakes - but they are perfect after that," he said.
"I want to create the best technical, tactical, physical and mental team of the league in the next couple of months. If you do that, results will follow."
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