Rangers 'biggest mistake' laid bare by Celtic hero as Barry Ferguson agrees 'that was harsh'

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Philippe Clement may be under increased pressure from the Rangers support - but one pundit reckons their 'biggest mistake' was sacking a previous manager from YEARS back.

The Belgian boss faced the media ahead of the Premier Sports Cup semi-final showdown with Motherwell on the back of losing to Aberdeen at Pittodrie and falling nine points behind both the men from the Granite City and rivals Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership table. The football on show and results have fans restless in Govan and seeking change. However, Clement is 'very confident' he has the backing of the board and not sought talks over his future. He is determined to turn things around starting with a semi-final triumph at the National Stadium on Sunday.

But Celtic hero Peter Grant reckons the decision to sack Giovanni van Bronckhorst two years ago after just one year in the hot seat is a decision the club are still regretting. He lifted the Scottish Cup and took the club on an incredible Europa League run all the way to the final in Seville before a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Bundesliga outfit Frankfurt. He also secured Champions League group stage football, although that didn't go as planned in Europe's elite competition.

But when discussing Clement on Go Radio, host Paul Cooney brought up the fact both Michael Beale and Van Bronckhorst had lost their jobs at a similar point in the campaign and before he finished Grant shouted over him claiming: "Biggest mistake. Biggest mistake," in regards to the decision to axe Van Bronckhorst.

When asked for his view, Barry Ferguson said: "If you look at it, there was a couple of tough results. I thought it was harsh. I did say at the time. I think Gio is a good manager, there is no doubt, he showed that previously at Feyenoord and he's gone over to Besiktas and is doing pretty decent.

"I did think at the time it was a bit harsh on Gio. I am not just saying that because I know him and he was a former team-mate. But listen, you can't just keep changing managers. A manger might come in and think 'I don't fancy 10, 12 or 14 of these players' then what do you do? Do you have to go and do another full rebuild?"

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