AliousClinton Nsiala is the latest player to cast doubt on Philippe Clement’s managerial decisions at Rangers, raising fresh questions about the Belgian’s credibility at Ibrox.
### Rangers Bounce Back but Questions Remain
After their humiliating Scottish Cup exit to Queen’s Park, Rangers responded with a 3-1 win over Hearts at Tynecastle. Two own goals from Jamie McCart and a strike from Vaclav Cerny secured the points, though some pundits, including Chris Sutton, argued the victory was far from convincing.
A standout performance from Jack Butland played a crucial role in securing the win, but Nsiala was arguably just as impressive.
### Clinton Nsiala’s Defensive Masterclass
Partnering John Souttar in the heart of Rangers’ defense, Nsiala was immense, making **16 clearances** (eight with his head) and recording **two recoveries**. He also won his only attempted tackle, proving to be a dominant force at the back.
His defensive impact was unmatched, leading the game with **18 defensive actions**, far ahead of the next best, Souttar, who registered 12.
Nsiala also won **four of seven ground duels (57%)** and **three of five aerial duels (60%)**, while maintaining a solid passing accuracy of **83% (29/35 completed passes)**, including **four accurate long balls**.
### Philippe Clement’s Management Under Fire
Nsiala’s commanding performances beg the question: **Why was he overlooked for so long?**
Since arriving from AC Milan in the summer, the 21-year-old was left out of the squad entirely until January 5, when he finally made the bench for a 3-3 draw against Hibernian.
This is despite **Souttar and Robin Propper struggling for form** in the first half of the season. Clement was even forced to deploy James Tavernier and Neraysho Kasanwirjo as makeshift center-backs, yet Nsiala was not given a chance.
This pattern of misjudgment is not new. Clement previously persisted with Tavernier despite a series of poor performances, ignoring the options of Kasanwirjo and Dujon Sterling. Similarly, **he stuck with Cyriel Dessers for far too long**, delaying opportunities for Hamza Igamane.
While Clement eventually gives players like Igamane a chance, **his reluctance to act sooner could cost him his job**. If history keeps repeating itself, Rangers fans may soon demand a change in leadership.
Alious
