Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart has insisted that it was the right call not to sack Philippe Clement in the wake of the Scottish Cup humiliation to Queen’s Park.
Europa League progress has inoculated Clement to an extent, with Stewart suggesting that it would be a ‘risk’ to change manager at this point in the campaign.
And he insisted that the decision to stick by Clement has nothing to do with finances.
Stewart did admit that the defeat to Championship side Queen’s Park is a ‘source of shame’ for Rangres but maintained that there has to be an overall look at the problems of the club.
“For all the Queen’s Park result was disastrous, I think we do also have to give credit to Philippe and the team for the Europa League run,” he said.
“We had a really tough draw. Four of the top eight we played against and we finished in the top eight. So they deserve real credit for that.
“And I don’t want to take a step that would put further progress in the Europa League at risk. So that’s another reason for why we continue to keep Philippe in his role.
He accepted the enormity of the defeat to Queen’s Park – and the ramifications of it on and off the park.
“I don’t want anyone to doubt the gravity of the result and how I view the gravity of the result,” he explained. “You can’t sugarcoat it, it was disastrous.
“It’s historically obviously a significant moment. It’s the first time we’ve got out to lower league opposition at home in the Scottish Cup.
“That is not lost on me. That’s obviously a source of shame for the club. Clearly there’s financial impact as well, but more importantly it was a really good opportunity to win a trophy and that’s now gone.
“It’s impacted everyone at the club, let’s be clear. Obviously everyone at Auchenhowie, but also around the club, it’s impacted morale and serious questions have been asked. So yeah, it’s a massive blow.”
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