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Clement on job speculation, Stewart chat & returning to south of France

Philippe Clement
[Getty Images]

Rangers manager Philippe Clement has been talking to the media before his side's Europa League match against Nice on Thursday.

Here are the best bits from his press conference:

  • Despite speculation over his position in the aftermath of the weekend draw with Dundee United, Clement said there had been no discussion with the board after the game.

  • He did, however, have a meeting with the incoming chief executive Patrick Stewart. Clement believes this appointment is very important because of the "big vacuum" that has existed at the club. The Belgian described the talks as "really good" and said Stewart would be having similar talks with others at Rangers before officially taking over in mid-December.

  • Clement said he wasn't under the impression his position was under threat if results don't improve.

  • Asked to point to signs of progress in the 13 months he has been at the club, he said that was not the reality, that the rebuild of the playing squad has actually been over the last four months with many departures from executive positions at the same time.

  • Acknowledged that domestically performances have to improve, though pointed out that against Dundee United they had most shots on target this season and entered the opposition box most times as well. Wants his team to "strangle opponents".

  • Positive news on the injury front: Oscar Cortes is back in training and will be available in a few weeks while Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo should be back in the next two weeks.

  • The former Monaco boss said it was "special to be back" in the south of France, but stressed he was here to work not on holiday and that his side would do everything to try to win a game he believes is even more important for Nice, who have only two points from their four games so far.