Manager is yet to win an Old Firm match and success would help him to show he is making some progress

Philippe Clement can only hope the law of averages is due to swing in his favour. If not, the sense of an elongated, unsatisfactory conclusion to his spell as the manager of Rangers will have intensified by Thursday evening.

Brendan Rodgers has tasted defeat in only one of 20 Old Firm matches. Celtic’s manager has presided over 16 wins in that run. Clement would be forgiven trepidation, then, as Rangers prepare to host their oldest foes. The Belgian is yet to defeat Celtic, having faced them half a dozen times.