Philippe Clement reveals ‘brutal’ encounters with Celtic fans during Rangers spell
Former Rangers manager Philippe Clement has admitted to experiencing ‘brutal’ encounters with Celtic supporters during his time in Glasgow.
The Belgian, who is now in charge of Norwich City, has reflected on his turbulent 16-month spell at Ibrox, during which Celtic continued their domestic dominance.
Clement failed to prevent the Hoops from securing four trophies during his tenure, including two cup final victories over Rangers at Hampden.
Despite the fierce rivalry and criticism he encountered, the 51-year-old insists he retains fond memories of Glasgow and its passionate football culture.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Clement said: “I don’t want to go back too much in that story, it’s been in the past. I don’t think it was the right timing to be at the club; you saw a few months later that the club was sold to the American owners.
“They have now put a lot of money in to get Rangers back to where they should be, and where I wanted them to be, because I will stay a Rangers fan for all of my life. It’s an amazing club with amazing fans, and a great city to live in also, how everybody lives and breathes football.
“I look back with really good memories, but it was maybe the wrong time at that moment. It is what it is, but that’s football. Every club has its difficulties or challenges. That’s why I love the challenges.
“In Rangers we have to win every game or it was a disaster. Here [at Norwich] it’s different, but it’s also different means. At Rangers we had one of the two best squads in the league and had European football, so we had a game every three days. I think both are challenging tasks.
“Everybody lives for football there in Glasgow. Everyone you meet is either for or against you. It’s brutal with the reactions sometimes, but it’s never been dangerous or something where I felt afraid but it can be brutal in words, sometimes, for sure, when you meet fans of the other side!
“But I love that also, that passion of people. I don’t think you can find many places in the world where you can find the same.”
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