'Clement may have expected more transfer support from board'

Philippe Clement had stopped engaging in transfer chatter with the media long ago, simply stating those in charge of recruitment knew what the squad needed, but the acquisition of just one central defender on loan is unlikely to have been what he was hoping for in January.

Clement is a realist and has been very clear the club's financial position means the days of extravagant signings are gone.

However, having reached the last 16 of the Europa League with a threadbare squad, he would surely have been within his rights to expect a little more support from the board at the end of the window.

Nonetheless, Patrick Stewart did say there would be "one or two" arrivals in January and he was true to his word. With the league title out of reach, the board have taken the pragmatic approach of asking Clement to deliver the Scottish Cup and further European progress with the tools he already had.

If the Belgian can do both of those then he should keep his job and be allowed to continue the rebuild of the squad along with Nils Koppen, with the pre-contract agreement for Lyall Cameron's summer arrival from Dundee the first move in that regard.

With the squad lightened by the departures of Rabbi Matondo, Kieran Dowell and Zak Lovelace, there should be further opportunities in the next few months for players like Bailey Rice and Findlay Curtis to show they deserve to be a long-term part of the senior squad.

Both have already shown fleetingly they have the talent to be in contention to play and it is important that pathway remains open to allow them and fellow academy products to flourish.

They will hope to be involved this weekend in the home cup tie against Queen's Park – a good opportunity to allow these young players to experience more senior football.

After such a hectic period, Clement has a full week this one and the next two to really work with the squad on the training ground as they prepare for a crucial few months.