Rangers boss Philippe Clement sheds light on half time message after stunning Celtic draw

Rangers boss Philippe Clement sheds light on half time message after stunning Celtic draw

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Rangers and Celtic draw 3-3

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 07/04/2024

- 14:43

Updated: 07/04/2024

- 15:09

Fans were treated to a classic at Ibrox with the game ending 3-3

Rangers boss Philippe Clement has praised his players for responding to his half time message following his side's 3-3 draw with Celtic.

The Gers looked to be heading to defeat after early goals from Dizen Maeda and Matt O'Riley.


Rangers then mounted a stirring comeback, with goals from James Tavernier and Adballah Sima seeing them draw level.

Celtic thought they'd won the match when Adam Idah netted in the 87th minute.

Rangers news Philippe Clement

Rangers news: Philippe Clement has hailed his side following their 3-3 draw with Celtic

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But Rabbi Matondo netted a screamer at the death to earn his side a draw.

The result means Rangers remain one point behind Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership table with a game in hand.

And Clement has now hailed his side for the way they responded to his half time message, having criticised his team in the dressing room.

"I don't know if it was classic but my boys did something special," he told BBC Scotland.

"We show our real quality and personality. We get a well-deserved point. We are more the winners of the day.

"It could have been more, but I think the result is also good.

"They took the message [at half-time] in the best way they can and showed who they really are in the second half.

"We showed a lot of power, resilience, personality and mentality. There's a lot of positives.

"We showed we deserve where we are in the league, we need to be at the top.

"It was important to have Abdallah Sima back. I'm happy with what he could give today.

"It could have been more, but I think the result is also good.

"They took the message [at half-time] in the best way they can and showed who they really are in the second half.

"We showed a lot of power, resilience, personality and mentality. There's a lot of positives.

"We showed we deserve where we are in the league, we need to be at the top.

"It was important to have Abdallah Sima back. I'm happy with what he could give today.

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Rangers Philippe Clement

Rangers boss Philippe Clement has praised the fighting spirit of his team following their stunning 3-3 draw with Celtic

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Celtic rival Brendan Rodgers, meanwhile, has admitted he's disappointed with the result.

"You expect some sort of reaction in the second half," he said.

"I'm disappointed with the penalty. If you watch it back, I think the referee makes the right decision in the game. Ali[stair Johnston] makes a really good challenge.

"The player then simulates and goes over. He went over a few times in the game.

"It went against us and you expect a bit of pressure.

Celtic Brendan Rodgers

Rangers news: Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has admitted he's disappointed with the result at Ibrox

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"We had to stand up and fight, We get the third goal, excellent from Adam [Idah]. They then get a really good third goal.

"We're disappointed not to win, but to leave here with everything in our hands is what we wanted."

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