Rangers

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Rangers' defeat by Queen's Park without question represents the nadir of Philippe Clement's troubled time in charge, but with three days having passed since their worst result in almost 60 years, it appears there is no boardroom appetite to dismiss the manager immediately.

That is in stark contrast to the feeling among supporters, whose hopes of domestic silverware have been extinguished so early in the season and for whom the solace of a place in the last 16 of the Europa League is simply inadequate.

While Clement will shoulder the blame for another abject performance and result, the players have let him down massively, outfought and at times outplayed by a team, with the greatest of respect, who should have been swatted aside.

Where Rangers go from here, while the independent review into the running of the club is ongoing, is unclear. But unless Clement can somehow guide this squad deep into the Europa League, there appears to be little chance he will continue in his role beyond the end of the season.

There is an argument it would be better to install a new manager now, allowing him to get his feet under the table while seeing out the season rather than having to hit the ground running at the start of the next campaign, but Clement is adamant he should be trusted to continue the project he began.

His powers of persuasion with Patrick Stewart and the rest of the Rangers board will have to be strong and failure to get beyond the next round of the Europa League would surely signal the end of what has been a tumultuous reign.

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Rangers youngster Bailey Rice was "hung out to dry" by manager Philippe Clement in the shock defeat by Queen's Park, according to former defender Craig Moore. (Daily Record, external)

Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday says the Ibrox side's lack of urgency in their Scottish Cup loss highlighted the "massive gulf" between them and Celtic. (Daily Record, external)

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Going to Ibrox right now is the "least enjoyable" it has been in a long time and "95% of fans" want Philippe Clement to leave, believes Scottish coach and analyst John Walker.

The Scottish Cup exit at home to second-tier Queen's Park has ramped up the pressure once again on beleaguered manager Clement.

"The Queen's Park result was just the icing on the cake - about 95% of fans are [Clement] out," Walker, a Rangers fan, told the Scottish Football Podcast.

"The entertainment factor is not there at all.

"It's the least enjoyable I've ever felt going to Rangers games regularly. It's every time you turn up you don't really know what you're getting.

"You might get goals, but I would expect Rangers to score whether they were a creative team playing well or whatever."

While Clement has led Rangers to the Europa League last 16 and the League Cup final this season, his side are lagging 13 points behind Premiership leaders Celtic, and Walker says the Belgian doesn't have enough credit with the fans to smooth over the rough patches.

"I think the only time it's ever been this way for such a prolonged period was Alex McLeish after the fourth season and we know how Alex McLeish was having to run Rangers," he added.

"He was not given a single penny after the first two seasons, but McLeish had five trophies in the bank and went on and actually dragged another title and League Cup out of Rangers.

"Clement doesn't have that in the bank, so fans are turning up not enjoying it."

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

Embarrassing. Shambolic. Miles away from being good enough. The general attitude of the players from the first minute on Sunday was a complete disgrace.

Too many thought they could coast it, do the bare minimum and get away with it. Unfortunately, that didn't happen and they got what they deserved on the day.

That was our last attempt at a domestic trophy this season and it looked like we couldn't be bothered with the game.

As for the manager, we will continue this way under him; one step forward, three steps back. It's much like when Erik ten Hag was manager at Manchester United. For every good result, you just knew a crazy shambles was around the corner.

And as much as you want to back a manager and will them to do well, no Rangers boss should survive a defeat at home to Queen's Park.

There should be no way back for Clement after this, but I don't think the board have it in them or have any plan to follow through and remove him from the job.

They are also part of the problem. They seem happy to lower the standards required of being a Ranger. Instead of trophies in the last decade, we have New Edmiston House.

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It will cost Rangers £1.2m in compensation if the club's board want to sack manager Philippe Clement in the wake of Sunday's embarrassing Scottish Cup exit to Queen's Park (Scottish Sun)., external

Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd says Clement should be removed from his job after the loss (Scottish Sun), external.

Rangers boss Clement will be dismissed if his side get knocked out of the Europa League in the last 16 (Football Insider)., external

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Rangers captain James Tavernier says Sunday's Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Queen's Park is "unacceptable".

Despite 28 shots and an injury time penalty for Philippe Clement's side, they were on the end of a 1-0 defeat to the Championship side which ended their Scottish Cup journey.

After missing out on the League Cup trophy at the hands of Glasgow rivals Celtic in December, Clement's side sit 13 points adrift in the Scottish Premiership and their chances of lifting silverware this season are dwindling.

"We can't be losing a game against a Championship team at home," Tavernier said.

"We can't be shooting at goal 30-odd times and not being clinical enough, and can't be just conceding maybe a couple of chances against us, then we concede [a goal], so it's unacceptable.

"It's rightly so, that the fans are aggrieved at us, and we've fully got to take it, be responsible for what happened.

"It's not good enough. It's another cup competition that now we're out of, and it's not acceptable that we can't be going season after season and not picking up these trophies, so we have to reflect massively.

"Through the season it's been inconsistent, where we have a run of good games, then we hit a speed bump.

You can't do that as a Rangers team and as Rangers players, you have to be consistent throughout the season if you want to compete for trophies."

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Rangers manager Phillipe Clement says he won't consider his future at the club despite Sunday's Scottish Cup exit.

The Ibrox club were knocked out of the competition by Championship outfit Queen's Park in a dramatic game that saw James Tavernier's injury time penalty saved.

Rangers lost out on the League Cup to Glasgow rivals Celtic in January and are also 13 points behind Brendan Rodgers' side in the league.

When asked if he'd consider his position, the Rangers manager said: "No, totally not.

"No, I don't expect this [talks with board] because you can put another manager in this game – would it be different in that sense?

"So what was yesterday? Progression was made, top eight in Europe and more consistency in the league and all these things, they don't change in 90 minutes.

"I understand that the fans are in emotions now. I know a lot of fans were on my side three hours ago [before the game]. I know that.

"I'm also angry and frustrated about this result and going out of the cup because it was one of our big goals and our shortest chance to go to win a trophy this season.

"We all know that. That's probably also one of the reasons that the team was nervous in the second half, because they wanted that so much because they know how important it is for the club.

"Of course it's unacceptable, this result. Clearly, that's unacceptable. And we lost our composure, that's the main thing. We lost our cool in the second half to make the right decisions in the box.

"And we had a goalkeeper against who probably played the game of his life also. So you need to take that on the chin and it's a hard one to take.

"Again we created enough to win three games. We didn't concede many chances. We get one shot on target [against us] and it's a goal."

Rangers fans, we asked for your views on the Scottish Cup defeat to Queen's Park on Sunday.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Andrew: One of the most humiliating defeats in my lifetime. Changes need to be made right now.

Anon: Absolute embarrassment we have regressed since Philippe Clement came in, same old excuses from him and the players will say they are sorry for letting us down again. It's been a sorry time since Steven Gerrard left because the board didn't back him, this just can't go on. All our history gone and it's all down to the board, management and these players.

Robert: This defeat is up there as one of the worst results in Rangers' history. It really sums up our season in one game. Performances have been dreadful. Complacency set in yesterday. The team thought they only had to turn up. I don't see how Clement can possibly survive this. Terrible to watch. Dominate possession but do nothing with it.

Andrew: Rangers have not got a natural leader or a player of genuine class who can turn a game. Their style of play is predictable and lacks pace. Teams do try harder against Rangers but this should be seen as a motivation, not an excuse.

Billy: For the first time it's time for Clement to go. Any Rangers team should have been capable of winning that game. Bring back Stevie G.

Eric: If Ridvan Yilmaz, a left-back, is our best option when we are a goal down, we are in serious trouble. He can hardly keep the ball in the stand when he has a shot, never mind the goals. Ross McCausland should be slapping in his transfer request first thing this morning

Gail: There is really something not right at Ibrox, we have the players and manager but I feel there's dark goings on. We appear to be in financial trouble yet again and I worry we are going down the wrong road

Kevin: Spineless, lazy, arrogant, players who think just turn up and we will walk this game. The manager isn't good enough. Fans are sick of excuses all the time. Have a clear out starting with the useless, clueless manager and his bunch of clowns.

Recently appointed Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart's public backing of Philippe Clement faces the ultimate test following Sunday's home defeat by Queen's Park in the Scottish Cup that leaves the Belgian manager facing a trophyless season unless their side win the Europa League. (Daily Record), external

Queen's Park's 1-0 win at Ibrox means Rangers have lost a home tie in the Scottish Cup to a team from a lower division for the first time in the club's 153-year history. (TalkSport), external

Rangers manager Philippe Clement says the Ibrox club "wanted more" signings during the January transfer window and "didn't achieve all the goals that we wanted". (Sky Sports), external

Rangers are set to enter new contract talks with 26-year-old midfielder Ianis Hagi, whose current deal ends in the summer, in the coming weeks. (Football Insider), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Second-tier Queen's Park produced one of the biggest upsets in Scottish Cup history as they beat Rangers 1-0 at Ibrox to advance to the quarter-finals.

Seb Drozd's sublime 69th-minute strike gave the visitors a shock lead after Rangers dominated possession without truly threatening.

The Premiership side huffed and puffed in search of an equaliser and looked like they would finally find one in the 97th minute from the penalty spot, but captain James Tavernier's effort was magnificently saved by Calum Ferrie.

That sparked wild scenes of celebration and meant Queen's Park became only the second side to win in 18 games at Ibrox this season after Olympique Lyonnais.

Celtic couldn't do it. Neither could Tottenham.

But the third most successful club in the history of the Scottish Cup - albeit one who last lifted the trophy in 1893 - could at the home of their Glasgow neighbours.

Have your say on the match here., external

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Rangers manager Philippe Clement: "We had more efforts on target today than we have had all season, but we didn't manage to score - not even with a penalty. We lacked quality in the last decision-making and last action.

"Maybe the team wanted to react too much. I was not happy at half time, but they need to keep composure in these moments."

"It's a big frustration for all of us. The biggest difference is the efficiency between the Europa League and today. We have to do much better in the final third.

"In domestic games, there's been consistency in the last two months. This was a setback today.

"It was one moment. I won't take conclusions about the whole season from one moment. We wanted it too much, because of that there was no composure.

"Results like this, I'm frustrated about it. The only way for this club to get consistency for the future, to build something, is to keep consistency.

"The fans are right to be angry now. I'm angry also. It's unacceptable and the players know that."

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Rangers manager Philippe Clement is aware of the dangers posed by playing lower league opposition in the cup.

The former Monaco manager was on the wrong end of a cup shock back in 2023, losing on penalties in the Coupe de France to Ligue 2 Rodez after losing a two-goal lead.

Current side Rangers host Championship side Queen's Park and Clement insists he's learned his lessons from his time in France.

"I put too many young guys in to give them a chance on that day and the senior guys didn't perform as they should have done to help the young guys," the Belgian said.

"On that day the other team was 100 per cent efficient and had the day of their lives.

"So, cup competitions are always something dangerous. You need to balance things really well.

"I had a lot of cup games in a different way in Monaco and with other teams, but it's something that happens every season in every league.

"We are very ambitious for this game on Sunday, and we respect Queen's Park.

"We will have the same preparation that we had against Manchester United or Tottenham [in the Europa League].

"I read that they're not going to park the bus and they're going to go full into the fight to get results. So that's what I expect, but it can also be the bus so we will see.

"It's a team that can do good offensive actions. They have also really interesting set-pieces that they clearly work on a lot.

"They're going to count on the counter-attacks and the set-pieces in this game. We need to be very focused on that."

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Philippe Clement has admitted Rangers "wanted more" from the January transfer window.

The loan signing of Lille defender Rafael Fernandes was the club's only immediate arrival, with Dundee midfielder Lyall Cameron signing a pre-contract to join in the summer

"We as a club wanted more, we talked about that," said manager Clement.

"At the end, we didn't achieve all the goals that we wanted and now it's about going full for everything with our squad to win every game.

"That remains the ambition, it's a really high ambition, but it's my ambition in every club to keep on developing the group and to making it better.

"Maybe because we missed something in the transfer window, it will give an opportunity for somebody else to blossom.

"Maybe we lose a little bit more time than we expected on the trajectory that we wanted to make with the squad, but now it's about getting the maximum out of this group."

Clement said it was a "financial decision" that meant Rangers could not bring in Cameron before the summer.

"We all wanted him to come as fast as possible, but it was not possible. So we needed to wait a few months longer," he added.

"Lyall is part of our plans that we have with the club to develop young Scottish players or to get young Scottish players with potential.

"We had several talks about how I see him playing and what he could do for the team. So, we're really happy that he can come next season."

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Rangers manager Philippe Clement has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Scottish Cup last 16 tie with Queen's Park at Ibrox.

Here are the key points:

• The additions of Danilo, Ianis Hagi and Clinton Nsiala to the Europa League squad were "logical decisions" and it's a "pity" that only three changes are allowed.

• January loan singing Rafael Fernandes has not been included and Clement believes it's better to use domestic matches to help him integrate into the first team.

• The Ibrox boss says "we as a club wanted more" from the January window and "we didn't achieve all the goals that we wanted".

• Clement is "very happy" that Dundee midfielder Lyall Cameron has signed a pre-contract to join in the summer: "He has the right mentality. He really wants to come to the club. We had several talks about how I see him play and what he could do for the team."

• "Financial decisions" prevented Cameron from being brought in during the January window.

• There is a "clear strategy" to develop and bring in young Scottish players and Clement says that is good both for Rangers and Scottish football.

• Oscar Cortes is still "a few weeks" away from fitness. Danilo will return next week and Dujon Sterling and Leon Balogun will return the following week. Leon King and Ridvan Yilmaz are already back in training.

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Rangers have added Ianis Hagi, Danilo and Clinton Nsiala to their squad for the Europa League knockout stages.

Kieran Dowell, who joined Birmingham City on loan in January, as well as Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Oscar Cortes, who are both out with long-term injuries, have made way for the latest additions.

Hagi missed out on the squad for the league phase because of a now-resolved contract dispute while Danilo's return date from injury was still unclear at the time. Nsiala, 21, was not fully integrated into the first-team set-up until last month.

Clubs are permitted to make a maximum of three changes to their squad after the completion of the league phase, so there is no room for January loan signing Rafael Fernandes.

Rangers will face either FC Twente, Fenerbahce, Bodo/Glimt or Anderlecht in the last 16.

Colin Moffat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Queen's Park and Raith Rovers go up against the Old Firm and both are away from home, so it may be a question of 'take the money and run', hoping that the scorelines can be kept respectable.

It's more than 50 years since Queen's Park visited Ibrox in this tournament and Rangers scored eight that day.

Manchester United are the only team to have beaten Rangers in 2025.

With just one win in their past seven Championship games, the Spiders seem unlikely to be the first Scottish side to leave Ibrox celebrating a victory this season, even if manager Callum Davidson has worked cup miracles before.

Read all the Scottish Cup picks