Rangers boss Clement insists there is NO GAP between his side and Celtic... as rivals stand on brink of Scottish title

PHILIPPE CLEMENT insists there’s no gap in quality between Rangers and Celtic despite his side looking destined to miss out on the Premiership title.

A third reverse in the league this season to Brendan Rodgers’ side saw the Belgian’s team fall six points and seven goals behind the Parkhead men with just two games left to play.

Celtic will be confirmed as champions tonight if Rangers fail to beat Dundee at Ibrox or if Rodgers’ men take a point from Kilmarnock tomorrow.

Despite the inevitability of Celtic wrapping up a third successive title, Clement feels that is no reflection on the respective ability of both squads if everyone is available.

‘For me, there is no gap,’ he said. ‘If we are both with our full squads, there is no gap.

‘A few weeks ago, everyone said there was no gap. In points, there was also no gap because we niggled back seven points and we went longer in Europe.

‘So, when there’s full squads, there is no gap. But when you are missing nine players, it’s a big thing.

‘I heard a lot when Celtic were missing two players, and it made a big difference. And it was a big difference when they came back.

‘So, of course, missing nine makes a big difference.’

Although his team’s season will conclude with another meeting against Celtic in the Scottish Cup final on May 25, Clement’s mind is already turning towards next season.

With a raft of players including Borna Barisic, Kemar Roofe, Ryan Jack and John Lundstram out of contract, significant surgery will be required in the coming weeks.

But the manager says a rebuild doesn’t necessarily have to be funded by the sale of a big asset such as goalkeeper Jack Butland.

‘That depends,’ he said. ‘But you can only sell players if you are sure you can get better for a lower price.

‘You can then use the extra money that you have for different positions. That can maybe be a decision.

‘But there are also a few players I don’t want to let go for any price.’

Asked if former England keeper Butland fell into that category, he replied: ‘That is a good example, yes.

‘I think that’s a very important thing for this club.’

Lundstram now seems set to leave Ibrox, with Turkish top- flight outfit Trabzonspor keen to sign him.

Sent off at Celtic Park for a lunge on Alistair Johnston just after his side had got back into the game by making it 2-1, many Rangers fans believe the Englishman shouldn’t be considered for the cup final once he’s free of suspension.

Asked if that would be the case, Clement added: ‘You always need to see who are the best players at that moment.

‘It’s easier from the sides to say: “This one shouldn’t have played”. But you need to see who is playing then.

‘I see the players every day, I work with them, and me and my staff make decisions around that for the best of the club.’

Clement has huge personnel issues to contend with tonight as his team look to make Celtic sweat for the title.

Revealing that 11 players were unavailable to him, he said: ‘I had to write it down because it was too much to keep it in mind.

‘John Souttar will not be available, Connor Goldson not, Leon Balogun not, Dujon Sterling not, John Lundstram not because of suspension, Tom Lawrence not, Oscar Cortes not, Rabbi Matondo not, Abdallah Sima not and Danilo not and Bailey Rice not.’

Clement is hopeful that those players who have suffered fresh injuries will recover in time for the final.

‘I hope next week to recover a few,’ he said. ‘But, of course, if players have been out for a long time, I don’t expect miracles also that suddenly they can play 90 minutes.

‘There will be hopefully more players available next week.’