HE looks like a villain from a Hollywood B movie but Rangers are hoping Philippe Clement can be the hero of an epic comeback story as the Premiership enters act two this weekend.
Michael Beale’s big-budget summer production proved to be a box-office flop as Gers fans ended up watching his horror show from between the cracks of their fingers.
Clement has stepped into the director’s chair after catching the eye with some arthouse Belgian movies and looks like a shrewd appointment.
It will be fascinating to see how he rewrites Beale’s script but he’s stuck with the same cast until January at least.
Hibs provide the first screen test this afternoon and it’s a sequel of sorts after the capital side also faced Rangers at Ibrox in Beale’s debut as boss.
That match was a thriller as Gers came from behind to win 3-2 and we should see plenty more goals today.
The Hibees are also on to their second gaffer this season and Nick Montgomery is proof of the new manager bounce.
The Englishman is unbeaten in five games since taking the reins and his players dug deep in the derby last time out by coming from 2-0 to draw with Hearts at Tynecastle.
Montgomery inherited one of the best attacks in the league as Dylan Vente, Elie Youan and Martin Boyle are capable of hurting any defence.
The problem is keeping the ball out of the net at the other end of the park with Hibs keeping just three clean sheets in 16 games this term.
Rangers have only drawn a blank two times so that suggests we’ll see plenty of goalmouth action.
Backing BTTS pays 20/23 at Betfair while over 3.5 strikes is 6/4 (Bet365). Over 1.5 first-half goals also stands a chance at 29/20 with Coral.
This has been one of the most combustible fixtures in Scottish football of late, with cards flashed left, right and centre.
Much of that was down to a running feud between Ryan Porteous and Alfredo Morelos but both fiery figures have now been removed from the mix.
That makes a sending-off less likely than before but it could still be a busy day for the ref.
Joe Newell will be at the heart of the midfield scrap and that makes him decent value for a card at 11/8 (Bet365).
Rangers will be hoping a win can cut Celtic’s lead at the top with the Hoops facing a tough trip to Tynecastle.
The champions were starting to hit their stride before the international break and they have been perfect on the road in the Premiership so far at some tricky venues.
Celtic have found a way to win at Pittodrie, Ibrox and the Tony Macaroni despite not being at their best.
They will need to dig deep again tomorrow as Hearts are strong at home with a huge crowd roaring them on.
I can see it being close so the 17/10 on offer at McBookie for either side to win by a one-goal margin is a good option.
The pitch at Tynecastle is also quite tight so going for corners could pay off as well.
Over 4.5 Hearts flag kicks looks good at 23/20 with McBookie while over 10.5 match corners pays a best 20/21 with StarSports.
Today’s games in Perth and Aberdeen could come under threat due after Storm Babet battered the east coast so I’m going to steer clear of them.
There shouldn’t be any problems at Rugby Park as Kilmarnock face Livingston in the latest El Plastico.
Killie’s flying start to the season proved to be a false dawn and they’ve gone seven matches without a win since knocking holders Celtic out of the Viaplay Cup.
Livingston ended their own five-game run without a victory by defeating 10-man Motherwell before the international break. It’s a tough one to call and a one-goal winning margin might be the best option again at 13/10 with McBookie.
Danny Armstrong scored when Livi last came calling and always looks like Kilmarnock’s brightest spark in attack.
The winger is a tempting 11/2 at Bet365 for anytime scorer today.
St Mirren crashed to their first Premiership defeat against Rangers last time out and now face a long trek to Dingwall.
If the weather is still stormy then betting against BTTS could pay off in this one at 21/20 with Betfair.
Super singles
- Over 1.5 1st half goals at Ibrox (29/20, Coral)
- Over 4.5 Hearts corners (23/20, McBookie)
- Armstrong goal (11/2 Bet365)
- BTTS no in Dingwall (21/20, Betfair)
I'm a sports journalist, football tipster and author from Dundee, who is now working in Glasgow. I've covered games at every level, from Junior football to internationals, and still love football even though it has clearly sold its soul. I've been in football tipping since 2018 with the MFT site.
