Clement accuses Rodgers of disrespect after Rangers rally to sink Kilmarnock

Philippe Clement has accused Brendan Rodgers of disrespecting his Rangers side after they cut the gap to Celtic to three points with a 4-1 home win over Kilmarnock.

After Celtic’s convincing 3-0 win over Hearts at Celtic Park on Saturday, Rodgers looked ahead to next weekend’s Old Firm derby. “We can have a bit of fun,” was the manager’s verdict on Rangers’ visit next Saturday – and his opposite number hit back after Sunday’s comeback victory at Ibrox.

“That it is something I would never say about an opponent,” said Clement. “It’s not really respectful towards my team. That is what I think. I am looking forward to that [game] and to be honest, as a manager I would love that it was tomorrow instead of next week – but that is maybe not so good for my players.”

“We are really hungry for that game,” the Rangers manager added. “Six months ago we were seven points behind; now we are three points behind and we can go equal. The team has already done a lot of steps and now it is about making the next step.”

Rangers eventually emerged comfortable winners over 10-man Killie on Sunday, but there was plenty of early concern for the home side. Their captain, James Tavernier, scored an own goal after 12 minutes and then had a penalty saved by Will Dennis after Kilmarnock’s Joe Wright was sent off for the offending handball.

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Rangers pounded the Kilmarnock penalty area and the Portuguese forward Fabio Silva levelled in the last of eight added minutes at the end of the first half. Ben Davies scored his first Gers goal in the 62nd minute after replacing the injured Leon Balogun, reacting first after Dennis had spilled John Lundstram’s powerful shot.

Mohamed Diomandé smacked the bar with a long-distance effort and Lundstram came close with a curling shot before Tom Lawrence added a superb third. After collecting a pass from Ross McCausland, he cut inside and curled the ball high into the top corner. John Souttar headed in the fourth from close range in stoppage time.

With just two further games for each side after the derby fixture, Rangers trail Celtic by three points and have an inferior goal difference (+53 to their rivals’ +58). Despite the defeat, Kilmarnock are guaranteed European football next season after Dundee lost to St Mirren on Saturday.