PHILIPPE Clement last night insisted he got the reaction that he wanted from his Rangers players to their Ross County defeat despite the Ibrox club’s hopes of lifting the Scottish title suffering another savage blow with a 0-0 draw to Dundee at Dens Park.

And the Belgian, whose side is now three points behind cinch Premiership leaders Celtic with just five games remaining, insisted his men could still win all of their remaining matches and be crowned champions.

James Tavernier and his team mates, who crashed to a 3-2 loss at the Global Energy Stadium on Sunday, were booed off the park by their own supporters for the second time in four days after failing to triumph in their rearranged game in hand.

But Clement was adamant they had performed far better against Tony Docherty’s side on Tayside than they had in the Highlands and refused to write off Rangers’ chances of finishing first in the league come May.  

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“Yes, they gave a reaction,” he said. “We didn’t get the result we wanted. We were the only team to deserve this result this evening in the possession, in the chances also, the clear chances. But you need to put the ball against the net. And you also need some luck sometimes.

“A few good opportunities, a few good saves of the goalkeeper, who had a really good game. A few times the ball was saved on the line, in the goal. You need to take that moment, and that opens up the game.

Asked if the Rangers performance was concerning for him, he said:  “It would be concerning if it was the same performance as Sunday. That was not the case. So, there were a lot of things much better, it was also needed because Sunday was our worst performance in the six months that we’ve been together.

“Then it’s a pity that they shows better things, but don’t get the result behind you. But, it’s about standing up and being ready for Sunday (the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts at Hampden) again, to take the result.,

“If they keep on pushing what they did today then results come also because that’s not big difference from how they played a few weeks ago or a few months ago. Of course it’s a good reaction. But I know for fans that sometimes they’re only looking at the result. I saw players who gave everything to get the result.

“It’s not easy against a team who play man making all over the pitch and follow you…even if you go to the toilet. So, to create the space we did, the chances were there, also on a pitch that was bumpy and it’s difficult to control in moments and do the decisive things. But, those are not excuses. My team today gave everything.

“I was angry, I was disappointed on Sunday. Today I’ve seen a team who of course could do better. But I saw a team that wanted to do everything to get the result and play out of the structure that we’ve always used over the last couple of months. And because of that we’ve been decisive also.”

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 Asked what he felt the draw meant for the Scottish title race, he said: “I said when we were winning the games, I said the same that I would look at the end. Okay, you guys point out the ranking a lot.

“I know we need maybe to win five games to do that. We made a series like that during the season. It is about game by game doing that, focusing on that and not on the series. We still have our own fate in our hands.

“Of course it is frustrating because you want to win, of course. You see the team gives everything for that. There was only one team who deserved to win this evening if you see the possession and the chances. It is frustrating if you have those things and don’t have the points.

“The fans need to stick with the team. That is super important. It is winning together and losing points together. I know as a fan you have the emotions and for sure after the game.

“But they have been great the last couple of months and pushing the team over difficult moments. That is what I expect also in this situation. They expect that the team gives everything to win games. Maybe in the next weeks they can push the team a few times over the line, or the ball over the line.

“I still believe that. I was maybe the only one in Glasgow who believed that in October, probably the only one of the all town who believed that. We are now six months later and if we win all our games then there is a really big possibility for that.

“I think that is already a big step forward and I believe in these players, this group, because I have seen what they have done this season already. They can do it again.”