Glasgow Rangers Suffer Shock Scottish Cup Exit
Glasgow Rangers faced a humbling defeat in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup, losing 0-1 at home to Queen’s Park. This unexpected loss has placed immense pressure on manager Philippe Clement, who is now under scrutiny for his job security. Despite his bullish stance during the post-match interview, a body language expert hired to analyze his responses suggests that even Clement himself may doubt his future at the club.
The Match: A Day of Heroes
Sebastian Drozd emerged as the first hero for the underdogs, scoring the only goal of the game. However, the second hero of the day was goalkeeper Callum Ferrie. With the match in added time, Rangers were awarded a penalty, offering a chance to equalize. Ferrie successfully blocked James Tavernier’s penalty, a seasoned spot-kick specialist. The save was initially under review due to a possible premature movement off the goal line, but it was eventually confirmed, sealing Queen’s Park’s remarkable victory and sending Rangers out of the cup.
Clement’s Response: A Show of Confidence?
When questioned about the loss and its potential impact on his position, Clement was adamant. "No, totally not," he emphatically stated. "I don’t expect this (talks with the Rangers board) because you can put another manager in this game – would it be different in that sense?" Clement highlighted the team’s progress, such as their top-eight finish in Europe and increased consistency in the league. He emphasized that these achievements should not be overshadowed by a single match. "Of course it’s unacceptable, this result. Clearly, that’s unacceptable," he acknowledged, expressing his frustration and anger at the outcome. "It’s a hold-up today. It’s a f—ing frustrating one. Sorry to use that word. But it’s my feeling for the moment. So I’m as frustrated as everybody else."
Body Language Analysis: Signs of Turmoil
Darren Stanton, a body language expert known as "the human lie detector," provided an in-depth analysis of Clement’s interview. "He is fairly confident at the start of his interview, more so than some of the other managers we have looked at under pressure this season, but he is in turmoil," Stanton observed. "I think he does suspect that he could be for the chop. When he’s asked about it, his blink rate increases, and he does have quite a bit of anger going on, but directed at others." Stanton noted that Clement appeared to shift liability to the team, using pronouns like "we" and "they" instead of "I" and "me" when discussing the team’s performance. "When he responds to the question about his team, he seems to have been put on the back foot by it, and we see more of that anger again as he goes on the defensive," Stanton added.
The Critical Moment: Avoidance of Tough Questions
Stanton identified a critical moment in the interview when Clement was asked if he could survive the job if Rangers finished the 2024/25 season without a trophy. "Clement didn’t want to answer," Stanton said. "When he pushes back against the line of questioning, that’s what we call a linguistic deflection. He doesn’t want awkward questions that he feels he has to walk back or sidestep later given the situation he finds himself in." Stanton noted that Clement’s body language deteriorated as the interview progressed, with increased blinking, fidgeting, and frequent downward glances, particularly to his right, which is associated with internal auditory dialogue. "By the end of the interview, it was like the journalist had him pinned in a corner," Stanton commented.
A Future in Doubt
Overall, Stanton believes that Clement’s internal doubts about his future at Rangers are evident. "In his heart, I don’t think he believes he is going to stay in his job. It’s been one too many mistakes, and one too many losses, even before this big shock against Queens Park," Stanton concluded. The pressure on Clement is palpable, and while his words may indicate confidence, his body language suggests a different story. The coming weeks will be crucial for both the manager and the club as they navigate the aftermath of this significant setback.
