Philippe Clement has tried to shift discussion away from the seven-point gap between Celtic and Rangers that he is inheriting, insisting he will remain focused on their fortunes one week at a time.
His predecessor Michael Beale was one for talking about long-term projects and an end-goal over a period of months. It’s clear their barometer for years and years has been Celtic.
However, the new Ibrox appointee Clement reckons Rangers can no longer look at the Bhoys and must now focus on themselves.
Asked by Sky Sports about the chasm to the reigning champions, the Belgian said: “It’s now important that we focus on ourselves and that we focus on what we have to do to become better, to get more points, to play better football, get fans behind the team and get a better dynamic again. Not to look far ahead to what’s going to happen in six months.
“It’s about now, next weeks, next month, week by week building a story. There will be some bumps on the way but then to stay confident.
“For me, it’s like a marathon. So we can try to focus on the seven points now and sprint really hard and lose our legs to that, or to be focused on the guy in front of us who is running, to get their pace. No, we need to get our pace in a better way and we need to get a good tempo to make this comeback during the season.”
Although the Bhoys are seven points ahead, nothing can be taken for granted so early in the season. A lead like that can be frittered away if Celtic do not stay at high levels in Scottish Premiership action.
Understandably, Brendan Rodgers’ team are red hot favourites to make it three-in-a-row – this squad is full of winners after all – but nothing is in the bag yet.
Although the jury is out on Clement, it would be fortunate indeed if he was as big a calamity as Beale. Celtic have to kick on and improve themselves over the course of this season and keep Rangers at arm’s length as usual.