Philippe Clement has a message for 5 Rangers stars running down their contracts as boss '200% sure' of one thing

Philippe Clement insists he’s got no commitment issues with any of his out-of-contract stars.

The Rangers boss pledged to keep picking John Lundstram and Borna Barisic - even if they’ve just weeks left of their Ibrox careers. Clement remains confident that Lundstram, linked with Ipswich Town and former club Sheffield United, will extend his stay in Scotland. He’s convinced the midfielder’s mind isn’t elsewhere and can be trusted to exert steely focus on the massive matches ahead.

Rangers face Hearts in the Scottish Cup semifinal at Hampden today after their title bid suffered back-to-back blows at Dundee and Ross County. When asked if regulars Lundstram and Barisic were 100 per cent tuned into Rangers with their deals about to expire, Clement replied: “Two hundred percent. I don’t have many hairs on my head but there are none that has a doubt about John. He loves this club. He is full of passion for this club, about everything.

“You see that in every reaction in training, in the dressing room before the game, during the game, after the game. There is not any doubt about that. If I get a feeling that they are not with their mind here, then it’s an easy decision. But I haven’t had that question mark about ANY of the players who are at the end of their contract. I see how they are performing now, what they are doing in training and doing in the games.”

Kemar Roofe, recently back from another injury lay-off, defender Leon Balogun and Scotland international Ryan Jack are also inching towards the end of their contracts. Clement stressed that an uncertain future should be no barrier to success - as he proved in 2019.

He steered Genk to the Belgian Pro League title even though rivals and former club Brugge were bidding to make him their next boss. “It’s part of football,” said Clement. “When I was manager in Genk, Brugge wanted me back. I told them I will wait until the end of the season to make a decision because we were in competition with each other.

“I couldn’t talk with them, although it was my second family because I had been there 16 years. So, in those moments, you can go fully for the target that you have in front of you. John is doing that every day; no doubt about that.

“There have not been any more talks for the moment. There will be in the future. I know both sides love each other, so I expect a solution at the end.”