A former player hopes Philippe Clement strikes the proper balance in his recruitment effort, which is already under way. The player remembers a time when changing room decorum was at its highest.
Certain football players command respect the moment they enter the locker room. Some people would rather speak only on the pitch. If you can successfully combine the two, you’ll be in business.
Rangers had it all under Alex McLeish, winning the league and cup double in 2005, the domestic treble in 2003, and the cup double in 2001. Even though Barry Ferguson served as captain for much of the time, he had a large group of lieutenants supporting him both on and off the field. Veteran players like Ronald de Boer and Michael Mols are mingling with battle-hardened defenders like Craig Moore and Sotirios Kyrgiakos.
But after two decades, the current Ibrox squad is accused of lacking that innate authority inside the ranks following a season that raised many expectations but produced just one trophy. the moral fortitude to set oneself for success and then deliver the goods. After making his breakthrough during the McLeish era as a youngster, Brian McLean played for the Rangers for five seasons. During that time, he studied under some of the most hard-nosed defenders in the league, who would tackle their grandmother to win three points.
The large defender was unable to establish himself as a regular in the Light Blues lineup even with that. However, it prepared McLean for a stellar career with Hibs, Motherwell, Ross County, Preston North End, and Falkirk. The 39-year-old is persuaded of one thing after witnessing the events of the previous season, especially the last eight weeks when Philippe Clement’s team went from leading to winning the championship to hitting a rough patch and leaving with just the League Cup.
The need to get more presence among the squad in the dressing room. More Moores, more Kyrgiakos’, more winners. Quality might be the number one target for Clement’s summer recruitment drive. But the character needs to be right too.
McLean, speaking at the PFA Scotland showcase and exit trial this week, said: “Alex McLeish was boss back then but I learned off some great defenders in the Rangers dressing room. Guys like Craig Moore, Marvin Andrews and Sotirios Kyrgiakos. You had a lot of physical players who had a real presence within that dressing room.
“It’s important Rangers get back to that. It’s important they get the right characters in that can handle the pressure and deliver success. You knew you were in their company as soon as these guys walked into a room. But you could also relate to them. They were approachable, they would help you.
“Oz (Moore) would always give me a number of anecdotes to help me. To build the connection with the academy kids coming through you need to have that pathway and engagement, if it’s segregated it will be difficult.
“But you still knew you were in the presence of quality players. Then, when you were on the training pitch you had to match that or you wouldn’t make it.
“There’s the reliability aspect of it all as well. Look at Jack Butland, he has been so reliable and it’s just unfortunate how it ended in the cup final. If they can get the right balance with the right characters in the dressing room – guys that can deal with the expectations – then that’s a massive help.
“It’s going to be a busy summer put it that way. If they can get their business done early that will be a good sign for the season ahead.”
Brazilian left back Jefte has already arrived but a deal for Panama international Jose Cordoba appears to have fallen through Chilean defender Thomas Galdames could be an option to bolster the backline. But McLean reckons, when it comes to the reliability aspect of defending, Clement is already ahead of the game with Leon Balogun set to commit for another year.
The Nigeria international may have been freed to leave two years ago. But his importance to the Ibrox backline, even as a back-up, has been proven time and again over the past season. McLean said: “Getting Balogun signed up is a wise move and a good bit of business getting it done early so that they know what’s going to be in the building after their break.
“He’s reliable and you can see with his recent performances it steadies the ship. It’s an area of the pitch you need a solid base and foundation for the rest of the team to go and try to kill teams off.”
Former Clyde boss McLean is putting a group of young professionals, recently released by clubs, through their paces at the annual PFA Scotland exit trial this week. It culminates in a showcase fixture at Broadwood Stadium on Saturday where scores of coaches and scouts will run the rule over the free agent players.
McLean said: “It’s been great. It’s been refreshing. These guys are realising they’ve made the first step in getting themselves into an opportunity f being in that shop window. The PFA have done brilliant in organising this. There’s masseurs, physiotherapists, coaches putting on good sessions.
“Hopefully it gives these boys the platform as well as coaches and managers the chance to view their capabilities. They are giving themselves the best opportunity by being here and that’s credit to them as individuals.”
