Former Rangers Manager Heaps Praise on Derek McInnes

In less than a month, Rangers will have the chance to end their three-year trophy drought when they face Hibernian in the Scottish League Cup final.

Coincidentally, back in the 2023–24 campaign, it was the same trophy that then-manager Philippe Clement helped the Gers lift in his first season in charge of the side.

Now new manager Derek McInnes will have to repeat the feat at Hampden Park next month and end the Gers' trophyless run.

And Clement is already impressed with how McInnes has managed the Teddy Bears so far this season.

In a recent interview (h/t The Scottish Sun), Clement praised the Gers' progress under McInnes, saying, "I really want the club to do well under Derek."

He is a very good manager, and it is good to see they are having success. I’m really happy that Rangers are coming back so strongly now."It always feels great to be praised by your predecessors, and it mostly works as a confidence booster ahead of crucial games.

More so from someone like Philippe Clement, who remains the last Rangers manager to win a trophy despite four managers, including interim ones, being appointed since his departure.

However, the Belgian manager also faced immense backlash from the Ibrox faithful during the final days of his time at the Scottish capital.

After a series of poor results, mixed with severe boardroom chaos, Clement was let go by the Gers in February 2025.Despite the tragic ending to his time at Rangers, the Norwich City boss seems to be following the Light Blues pretty closely.

During the recent interview, Clement also talked about how close the Ibrox side is to his heart, saying,  "Rangers is an amazing club with amazing fans, and I still keep an eye on their results."

Clement also mentioned the role of new owners, saying, "It is good to see the new owners are investing money in the club. They are ambitious people who want to bring the club back to where it should be."

The Belgian manager is also seemingly doing alright with the English Championship side, as Norwich have now won their last four games and are looking determined for a fightback in the league this season.

His words of praise for his former side will certainly be welcomed by the Rangers fans, who are eagerly waiting to celebrate their first trophy after Clement's League Cup win back in 2023.