Fully focused Clement wins gold star from supporters

JEREMY CLEMENT might have a limited command of English, but the young Frenchman only needs one word to accurately describe the importance of Rangers trip to Tynecastle this weekend.

"Massive," is the former Lyon kid's response to the prospect of facing troubled Hearts. And Clement has certainly got that one bang on.

Rangers and Hearts have matched each other in recent SPL stumbles that have allowed Celtic to race 15 points clear of both to top the table.

Realistically, the title apears to be gone both both teams. But a huge prize lies in wait once again for the runners-up, and Rangers have to ensure that - unlike last season - the Edinburgh men don't finish above them and secure Champions League football next season.

In terms of that battle, events at Tynecastle on Sunday will have a crucial bearing. Victory for Rangers would give them a slight gap over Hearts, although a chasing pack that contains live dangers such as Hibs and Aberdeen should not be dismissed.

Whatever the outcome, this collision of two clubs who have not had their troubles to seek will surely throw down a marker as to which way their respective seasons will lurch.

As Clement says: "The game on Sunday is very, very important for us. We are second with Hearts right now, and this game is going to be crucial.

"It will be difficult through there, but it's important for us to get the right result.

"We won last Saturday against Dunfermline at home which was very important of course, after two bad results.

"It was important for the confidence of the players and the manager. But we know we need to build on that now."

Clement is edging back to full match sharpness after a six week injury lay-off that saw him miss a string of crucial games.

Rightly heralded as the only one of Paul Le Guen's summer signings to so far receive pass marks, Clement's terrier-like style in midfield has established him as a firm favourite with the support.

Reared at Lyon under Le Guen's guidance, he was always going to find it difficult to adjust to the pace of the SPL.

But he told RTV: "It's nice to hear people say good things about you.

"But my own performance is not important. Of course I like to play well and have a say in a game, but the team winning is always the most important factor at any club, not individuals.

"I knew the manager very well before I came and that made it easier for me because we talked about the changes I would have to cope with. He knows my character, and he knew I would work hard to succeed in a new environment.

"Scottish football is very different from what I've been used to in France. Here it is much more physical.

"It's also very quick. In France, you have much more time to think, to play and pass the ball. In the SPL it's extremely difficult as you have someone in front of you, or behind you, very quickly.

"It has been very difficult for me because of the injury that kept me out. I came here to play and make an impact, and my problem came at a bad time.

"It was a bad period for me to be sitting in the stand. For every player it is the same when they are injured, but I feel I am returning to myself again."

Clement's comeback has also allowed Le Guen to link his dream central midfiel partnership of the young Frenchman and club captain Barry Ferguson.

They seem perfect foils, and with only a few games as a partnership, Clement is confident there is much more to come.

"I think we are getting a good understanding. We haven't played that much football together, but we are getting better as a combination," he says.

"It takes time but we are both fully fit now, and hopefully we can build on things. Barry is a very good player, there is no doubt about that."

Every Rangers player has suffered in the recent crisis that led last week to chairman David Murray going into the dressing room to read the riot act to his underachieving squad.

Clement must have wondered what was going on as his time at Lyon was filled with nothing but glorious success.

But for all the trouble, he is part of the squad. And he scoffed at any suggestions, as one report claimed recently, that he would be looking for a quick escape back to France.

"I like it here very much. Glasgow is a great city and I go out a lot, shopping and for walks around with my girlfriend," he said. "The club is massive. We have a great stadium with a

fantastic atmosphere and Murray Park is a great centre to work at.

"In my opinion it's one of the best facilties in Europe and we should be proud of that. Yes, I am very proud to play for Rangers. I am very happy here."

Taken from Evening Times