Rangers boss Philippe Clement last night insisted he can top off a hectic week of transfer wheeling and dealing by leading his much-maligned side to a shock Old Firm victory at Parkhead next Sunday.
The Ibrox boss saw his side record a 6-0 league win over Ross County at Hampden with two goals from Cyriel Dessers, two from Rabbi Matondo and one apiece from Tom Lawrence and substitute Danilo.
Dessers and Matondo have both been the subject of interest in recent weeks, with Clement hoping to hold onto both of them whilst getting rid of the likes of Todd Cantwell and Ianis Hagi to open up funds for a handful of new faces.
Although admitting he can offer no guarantees, though, he has promised to head for Celtic with a game plan to snatch all three points.
Asked why he believes his men can triumph in the east end of Glasgow against a Brendan Rodgers side that won the title and beat them in the final of the Scottish Cup, he replied: ‘Because we were really close last season. We were really close at Ibrox. We were really close in the cup final.
‘The difference in the cup final was one action where they were efficient and we not. We had the same chances, we had the same possession also.
Philippe Clement was upbeat after his side's 6-0 win and quickly turned his sights to Celtic
Dessers claimed another two goals against County and Clement is keen to keep the striker
Clement is excited to see how the likes of Jefte and Barron perform on their Old Firm debuts
‘I know it will be a new game for a few guys and I’m curious over how they’re going to react the first time to play an Old Firm, but I’m also really positive.
‘If you speak about the Jeftes and the Connor Barrons, those are two guys who, in the last couple of weeks, have had a few exams for the first time — and they take it every time really good. I expect them to do it there also.
‘We’re going to work hard this week with everybody to be ready for that game — to go hard to take the three points like we do against every opponent. I hope also to get a few signings in this week.
‘We’re going to prepare in the best way to be competitive and to go full for the three points. Not to sit and to park the bus in front of goal and to hope that something falls out of the sky.
‘The team is on the right track. Like I said, I expect the best Rangers to be seen in October, November. We’re rebuilding a new squad with a lot of new players and the players who were here are also hungry to become better.
‘The best examples for me are Cyriel and Rabbi. They were here last season, but they’re making the right steps because they understand all the details more.’
Dessers was the subject of a reported bid from MLS side Atlanta United earlier in the window, while Blackburn Rovers admit they are tracking Matondo.
Rabbi Matondo impressed with two goals but is the subject of interest from Blackburn Rovers
Although Clement insists he is not expecting either player to leave, he is taking nothing for granted.
‘I’m not sure about anything,’ said the Belgian. ‘Like I said, if someone comes with a bid that’s big enough, then almost everybody can go.
‘If you can replace them by at least the same quality, then you can do other things. So I don’t know. I will see at the end of the week.
‘I expect a busy week, but more busy in incoming and a few outgoing. Not outgoing for players who are in the squad today. That’s clear. More outgoing for players who are not in the squad.’
Dessers was given a rousing ovation from the Rangers support after taking his season’s tally to five goals before making way for Danilo — and Clement paid tribute to the Nigerian. ‘He’s a team player,’ said Clement, who revealed Leon Balogun is likely to recover from a neck problem that saw him replaced at the end of the first half.
‘That’s his strong point. You have a lot of strikers who are only busy with themselves and scoring their goals, but he’s somebody who genuinely loves the other players, even other strikers.
Leon Balogun is expected to be fit for next weekend despite coming off with a neck injury
‘He’s understanding now more and more what to do in that role and he’s getting more and more important.’
Asked about reports of an offer from Atlanta, he said: ‘We can only let players go if for that amount you can find better. Or you can find two, for example — one in the same position and one in another position.
‘Otherwise, you work backwards. That’s not the idea.
‘He’s also somebody who loves to stay. He loves the shirt and he wants to die for the shirt.’
Ross County boss Don Cowie, meanwhile, said: ‘I am just really disappointed that we managed to allow it to get to the score that it finished.’