Philippe Clement believes his Rangers aspect answered his questions on their mettle within the last-gasp 2-1 win over Hearts which reduce Celtic’s lead on the cinch Premiership summit to 5 factors.
Jambos captain Lawrence Shankland gave the guests the lead after 5 minutes earlier than residence skipper James Tavernier smacked the submit with a penalty on the finish of the primary half after Toby Sibbick’s foul on Todd Cantwell.
Gers midfielder Nicolas Raskin was taken from the sphere on a stretcher after sustaining an damage in taking pictures after the break however the recreation ended on a excessive for the Gentle Blues, beneath the tutelage of Clement for the third time.
The hosts have been awarded a second spot-kick within the ninetieth minute for a Peter Haring foul on Connor Goldson after a VAR examine by referee John Beaton, and this time Tavernier slammed it in, with substitute Danilo finishing the turnaround by heading residence the winner within the third of 9 added minutes.
“I’m curious if there comes a second, and it at all times comes, the place the situation isn’t going our manner, how they’d react,” Clement mentioned after the match. “Clearly that they had the response that I wished.
“Our power must be that no matter occurs in soccer, we by no means hand over and we carry on repeating what we’re doing as a result of they’re doing already good issues collectively.
“After all we have to nonetheless make higher numerous particulars but when we present the appropriate mentality over and over in each motion and within the response afterwards then we’re a extremely good crew.
“That’s what we confirmed collectively, not with 11 however with the entire squad, additionally the gamers who got here in to present this power.”
The Belgian continued: “Was it excellent? No. However for me it’s a reference recreation in the way in which that they’ve seen in the event that they by no means hand over numerous good issues can occur.
“It isn’t a assure that you just win each recreation as a result of not even the very best groups on this planet handle to do this however we’re going to win way more video games than we’ve achieved till now. It’s a huge step ahead for me and in that manner Tav was an instance as we speak.
“Lacking the penalty, getting the stick due to that, that second you’ll be able to lose confidence, you’ll be able to go down, you’ll be able to cease taking accountability.
“However he took the second penalty, he scored it and afterwards he gave the help for the second aim.
“I need to see numerous gamers with that mentality in my dressing room.”
Hearts boss Steven Naismith had his personal query marks over each penalties.
The previous Rangers striker mentioned: “The sport hinges on the penalty resolution. I don’t assume it’s a penalty.
“At each nook there was blocking, the place Rangers gamers weren’t even within the ball. All they’re doing is taking a look at our man, blocking our participant.
“I spoke to officers throughout the recreation who mentioned if that occurred and it was given as a aim, it could be given as a foul.
“Lo and behold, on the finish of the sport there’s a clear block on our man.
“John Lundstram isn’t even within the ball, all he’s doing is taking a look at our participant and he blocks him after which it’s given by VAR.
“I spoke to the referee who mentioned he by no means will get proven any video footage of any block occurring. He mentioned it (video) didn’t go that far again however it’s fairly apparent.
“Clear blocking, clear obstruction, it ought to be our foul.
“VAR ought to see there’s a foul occurred earlier than the 2 gamers (Haring and Goldson) make contact.
“Then the penalty within the first half. There may be two minutes added on and that’s given within the forty eighth minute. Small particulars can have a big effect.”
