Former Rangers manager Philippe Clement has spoken out about a transfer decision he believes significantly hindered the club’s chances of securing silverware. Clement, who was dismissed from his role in February 2025 after a disappointing run of results, pointed to what he described as a “baffling” signing that disrupted the team’s progress at a critical stage of the season.
According to Clement, the club’s choice to spend £4 million on Colombian winger Oscar Cortes was a major miscalculation that ultimately cost Rangers a trophy. The Belgian manager suggested that this investment, which he did not fully endorse, played a role in Rangers falling short in key moments.
Clement’s Time at Rangers: A Rocky Road
Philippe Clement took charge of Rangers on October 15, 2023, replacing Michael Beale, who had struggled to keep up with fierce rivals Celtic. Clement arrived at Ibrox with an impressive managerial resume, having won league titles in Belgium with Genk and Club Brugge, as well as managing in France with Monaco.
His reign began with promise, as Rangers won the Scottish League Cup in December 2023, defeating Aberdeen 1-0 at Hampden. Under Clement, the club went on an impressive 14-game unbeaten run, sparking optimism that Rangers could challenge for the Scottish Premiership title.
However, cracks soon began to appear. Despite the early success, Rangers struggled in crucial domestic fixtures. The title race with Celtic became increasingly difficult, and a 2-0 home defeat to St Mirren on February 22, 2025, proved to be the final straw. Clement was dismissed the next day.
The Oscar Cortes Transfer: A Costly Mistake?
Clement has now revealed that he was frustrated with Rangers’ January 2024 transfer business, particularly the decision to sign Oscar Cortes from RC Lens for £4 million. The Colombian winger was expected to bring attacking flair and creativity to the team, but instead, his impact was minimal due to recurring injuries.
Cortes’ persistent fitness issues meant that he was unavailable for key matches, leaving Rangers short of options in attack at a crucial point in the season. Clement has suggested that the funds used to sign Cortes could have been better spent strengthening other areas of the squad, particularly in midfield and defense, where Rangers struggled late in the campaign.
Speaking about the decision, Clement reportedly said:
“I had different priorities in the transfer market. There were clear areas we needed to strengthen, but the resources were not allocated as I expected. When you spend money on a player who is not fit to contribute, it affects the whole team. These decisions have consequences, and I believe it cost us a trophy.”
It remains unclear whether Clement was fully consulted on the signing of Cortes or if the decision was made primarily by the club’s recruitment team. However, his frustration suggests that there was a disconnect between the manager and the board regarding transfer strategy.
Missed Opportunities and the Trophy That Got Away
While Clement did win the League Cup, Rangers were desperate to win the league title and reclaim their dominance from Celtic. The failure to do so meant another year of frustration for the Ibrox faithful, and Clement believes the club’s missteps in the transfer market played a key role.
The January window is often seen as a time to fine-tune squads for the final push, and Clement was expecting reinforcements that could make an immediate impact. Instead, Rangers invested in a player who spent more time in the treatment room than on the pitch.
Had Rangers signed a fully fit and in-form winger or another midfielder, the outcome of crucial matches could have been different. The Scottish Premiership title, which Rangers desperately needed to win to shift momentum away from Celtic, slipped through their fingers once again.
What Next for Rangers?
With Clement gone, Rangers must now rebuild under a new manager and reassess their recruitment strategy. The lesson from the Cortes transfer is clear:
• Injury history must be carefully considered before spending big on a player.
• Signings should align with the manager’s tactical needs.
• Short-term impact should be prioritized in crucial transfer windows.
As Rangers aim to bounce back and challenge for major trophies, they must learn from past mistakes. The Clement era may have ended in disappointment, but his warning about poor transfer decisions should serve as a crucial lesson for the club moving forward.
Whether Rangers can correct these mistakes and reclaim their position at the top of Scottish football remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: they cannot afford another costly misstep like the one Clement has highlighted.
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