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PHILIPPE CLEMENT is on the brink of being sacked by Rangers.

SunSport understands Ibrox chiefs are on the verge of axing the Belgian following the 2-0 home defeat to St Mirren.

Clement, 50, has been in charge of the since October 2023, when he was named Michael Beale’s successor.

But the Belgian looks set to be relieved of his duties having won just one League Cup during his tenure – with a caretaker boss named for this midweek’s league clash with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

The shock Scottish Cup exit to Championship Queen’s Park pushed Clement towards the exit door.

But the club’s hierarchy refused to fire him while they were engaged in take-over discussions with potential US investors and a Europa League clash ahead.

Yesterday’s defeat to Stephen Robinson’s Buddies, however, looks certain to prove the final straw after angry fans vented their fury after the final whistle.

Clement was eager to battle on in the job.

But asked about his future following the latest defeat – which has Gers 13 points behind rivals Celtic – he said: “Those are things the board needs to decide. 

“In the end, I believe these players want to do the right things.

“I believe I can get results with these players. 

“But I am also very disappointed with what we showed today – and I am responsible for that.

“Today was by far not the performance that we have seen in the past. 

“It was by far the worst performance from my time here.

“It’s terribly disappointing, because we were so nervous on the ball and in the duels, in everything.

“I don’t know where it’s coming from. 

“That’s my frustration and it’s also my responsibility to put a team on the pitch with the right mindset.

“I didn’t see this one coming, this nervousness, everyone below par, almost all game.

“There were a few better spells, but by far we were not what Rangers should be.

“I saw the team drifting apart in islands. 

“That’s not been the case in the past, when we’ve had difficult moments and gone behind we have reacted as a team.

“Today, it was reacting one on one and not as a team. 

“Then we don’t play the football we need to play and it’s a bad performance 

“Leadership is an important one, but leadership is also a collective one.

“In the first place it’s my responsibility.”

More to follow…

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APPLE’S new iPhone might be proof that five of the gadget’s features have been laid to rest.

The surprise iPhone 16e is a cheaper version new model powered by AI – and it’s full of clues about what’s coming next.

Apple

The new iPhone 16e has no Home button, allowing more space for screen[/caption]

Apple

The old iPhone SE 3 from 2022 was the most recent Apple phone to feature a Home button[/caption]

#1 – HOME BUTTON

Gadget fans will have noticed that the new £599/$599 iPhone 16e doesn’t have a Home button.

Apple scrapped the Home button on its main series with the iPhone X in 2017.

This allowed Apple to serve up a full-screen iPhone design by reclaiming the bit of bezel that the button sat on.

But the Home button lived on with the iPhone SE series, including the latest 2022 version.

Now it’s gone, meaning that the 2022 iPhone SE is probably the last Apple phone ever to feature a Home button.

That’s because the iPhone 16e is sort of a spiritual successor to the iPhone SE.

#2 – TOUCH ID

As a result of not having a Home button, the iPhone 16e also loses another feature: Touch ID.

The fingerprint scanner was built into the Home button in 2013 with the iPhone 5S.

It let you easy unlock the iPhone with the touch of a finger, and was kept on for all future Home-button-toting models.

But in 2017, the iPhone X introduced the mug-scanning Face ID as a new way to unlock your iPhone.

And with the iPhone 16e (which has Face ID) effectively replacing the iPhone SE series, Touch ID is probably done for.

Of course Touch ID still features on other Apple gadgets, including many MacBook models.

So while Touch ID might have vanished from the iPhone, it’s not in the Apple graveyard just yet.

#3 – MUTE SWITCH

The third disappearing act is the Mute Switch.

Apple

Older iPhone models featured a Mute Switch that let you toggle between Ring Mode and Silent Mode[/caption]

Apple

This dates back all the way to the original iPhone in 2007, letting you toggle between ring and silent.

It’s been replaced by the Action Button, which first appeared on 2023’s iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

This is a customisable button that can do dozens of jobs – although it is set to switching between Ring and Silent by default.

But you could swap it to opening the camera, turning on the iPhone’s torch, or something else entirely.

Given the Action Button now appears on all versions of the iPhone 16, it’s hard to imagine the Mute Switch making a comeback any time soon.

#4 – LIGHTNING PORT

Another seemingly doomed feature is the humble Lightning port.

Early iPhone models used Apple’s 30-pin connector, but this was killed off in 2012 with the iPhone 5 and its Lightning port.

Then Apple abandoned Lightning on its main iPhone line-up in 2023.

Apple

This cable shows the newer USB-C connector on the left, compared with the older Lightning connector on the right[/caption]

Apple

The iPhone 16e is the latest Apple smartphone to come fitted with a USB-C port[/caption]

For that year’s iPhone 15, Apple switched to the USB-C charging port.

If you’re a gadget fan, you’ll know that USB-C is the hot new thing, appearing across the tech world – not just on Apple gadgets.

It commonly appears on Android phones, Windows laptops, and increasingly inside cars and hotel rooms too.

And it features on newer Apple iPad and Mac devices, allowing you to use the same cables for just about everything.

Given the tech world has collectively adopted USB-C, it’s almost impossible to see Apple returning to Lightning for any future iPhone models. Rest in peace.

#5 – NON-APPLE MODEMS

The final potential culling is invisible – at least unless you break open your iPhone 16e and peer inside.

Inside the iPhone 16e is Apple’s first ever modem, which is being called the C1.

The modem is the part of your iPhone that lets it speak to the internet.

Apple

For years, Apple was getting its modems from US chip giant Qualcomm.

Now Apple has designed its own one, which it says is “the most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone”.

The chip supports 5G internet, and Apple says it helps to deliver better battery life.

So we can probably expect to see Apple’s C-series modems on future iPhones too.

And it feels unlikely that Apple will switch back any time soon if it’s poured a load of money into creating its own modems.

RICHARD OSMAN has sparked a hostile online debate – after declaring Stephen Hendry among an elite list.

The Pointless host named the snooker legend among the world’s four “coolest” people.

Getty

Stephen Hendry’s biggest fan is Pointless host Richard Osman[/caption]

Getty

Osman (pictured) named Hendry among the four coolest people on the planet[/caption]

Hendry is one of the snooker’s most successful ever players, winning his first world title aged 21 in 1990.

The Scot won a total of 36 ranking titles – but was never known for his exuberance on or off the baize.

That doesn’t appear to be a problem for Osman, who joined journalist Marina Hyde on their podcast The Rest Is Entertainment.

The pair discussed “cool” celebrities – and Osman brought up The King of the Crucible.

He said: “I’ve got the name Stephen Hendry written down here.”

Hyde immediately replied: “You haven’t, have you?!”

Osman went on: “He’s cool because he’s completely different to how you think he’s going to be.

“He comes across different to how you’d expect on TV.”

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But Hyde was having none of it, later writing on X: “I remain STUNNED at Richard’s suggestions of who is cool, and by extension how he defines cool (or rather, doesn’t).

“The fact that the words “Stephen Hendry” were anywhere near this conversation is abysmal.”

One listener laughed in response: “I’m mostly on Richard’s side but totally with you on Hendry- No!!”

Another said: “Yup. You are completely right. Richard is confusing being ‘a great guy/girl who has nailed life’ with cool.”

And a third added: “It was a great episode. Frankly, I’m more with you on this. Hendry! Goodness me.”

While a fourth countered: “Now Jimmy White would have been on that list.”

Hendry, 56, retired from professional snooker for a second time last year after suffering from a persistent wrist problem.

He has since worked as a pundit for the BBC – but was unexpectedly absent for the Welsh Open earlier this month.

Hendry admits he has been left in the dark over his snub for the tournament in Llandudno.

He discussed his absence in the latest episode of his Snooker Club podcast with pal Mark Watson.

The pair made light of the situation as they joked about Hendry’s “demands.”

Hendy first said: “I don’t do the BBC’s Welsh Open, I don’t know why I don’t get the call.”

Watson laughed: “Your demands are enormous. You don’t just go to North Wales for anyone.”

The Dallas Mavericks will play the Golden State Warriors on Sunday in a contest that represents the first of a two-game road trip for the Mavs. Klay Thompson playing against his former team once again will be a primary storyline, but the Mavs’ injury concerns will also be something to monitor. Dallas has six total […]

The post Mavericks get important injury updates for Warriors game appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Los Angeles Lakers got a convincing win against the Denver Nuggets defeating them 123-100, and it was probably Luka Doncic’s best game so far as a member of his new team. Doncic finished the game with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, and he looked like himself on the court. Head coach JJ […]

The post Lakers’ Luka Doncic sounds off on JJ Redick’s ‘blackout’ challenge appeared first on ClutchPoints.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone is expressing his thoughts on the new computerized umpiring system. A software system is being tested this Spring Training to identify balls and strikes at games. It operates along with human umpires. Boone and the Yankees challenged a call made using this ABS system in a recent spring game. […]

The post Yankees’ Aaron Boone sounds off on using ABS challenge system to change call appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Illinois basketball made all kinds of brutal history in a 110-67 embarrassment against the No. 3 Duke Blue Devils at Madison Square Garden. Not only did the Fighting Illini suffer their worst loss in program history on Saturday night, but stat guru Jared Berson reports “it’s the largest margin of defeat for the Big Ten in […]

The post Illinois basketball’s 43-point loss to Duke makes embarrassing Big Ten history appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Colorado football program is expected to have several players selected during the 2025 NFL Draft. QB Shedeur Sanders and two-way superstar Travis Hunter will headline that group, with both likely to be selected during the first round. Sanders recently received some sage advice from Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II. Surtain has already been through […]

The post Shedeur Sanders gets advice from Patrick Surtain II ahead of NFL Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints.

WATCH the moment brazen thieves use a high-tech trick to swipe a Mercedes in under 20 seconds.

The devices are now used in 40 per cent of all cases of stolen motors and are used to jam locking systems.

MET Office

MET Office

MET Office

The car signal jammers work by scrambling the radio signal from remote keys, meaning thieves can get into the car without needing to unlock it.

Anyone found with one could face five years behind bars and an unlimited fine under new plans which will be set out in parliament this week.

In the video, the brazen thieves can be seen creeping towards a car on a driveway.

One thief focuses on unlocking the vehicle, while the other moves towards the house while fumbling around with a bag.

House lights brighten the scene and the thief jumps into the car.

The thief nearest the house sprints away while the other reverses the car off the drive.

It was previously only illegal to have one of the devices if it could be proven to be have been used in a car theft.

This new measure is part of the government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which will be introduced to Parliament on Tuesday. 

Minister for Policing, Crime and Fire Prevention, Dame Diana Johnson, said: “These thefts have a devastating effect on victims, who need their vehicles to go about their everyday lives.

We are aware of the real concerns people feel with the use of these electronic devices being so prolific.

“This is why we are introducing new laws focused on tackling this issue at source, which is what our Safer Streets mission and Plan for Change are all about.

These new laws will prevent these devices from getting into the hands of thieves and organised crime groups.

“We will also continue to work closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, which includes supporting their National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership, which brings together the police and manufacturers to clamp down on vehicle crime.”

Last year 132,412 cars were stolen across England and Wales – or 370 a day.

That is up significantly from just over 10 years ago when just 70,053 were taken in 2013.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “With government statistics showing an average of 370 vehicles being stolen every day, outlawing the possession and distribution of signal jammers cannot come soon enough and we welcome the government’s action on this.

“Having your car stolen is not only a violation, it causes massive amounts of stress and inconvenience as well as higher insurance costs for the individual concerned and drivers generally.”

AA president, Edmund King, said: “This is a positive step, and these tougher sentences should make would-be thieves think again before stealing cars.

As fast as vehicle technology has evolved, thieves have always tried to keep pace and beat the security systems.

“Relay theft and signal jamming is all too frequent and these measures will give police forces more opportunities to tackle car crime.”

MET Office

GERMANY’S hard-right party has had its strongest showing since World War Two, exit polls suggest, taking 19.5 per cent of the vote.

Alternative for Germany (AfD) is fielding its first candidate to lead the country amid support from Elon Musk and Vice President JD Vance.

Rex

Millions of Germans are heading to the polls today[/caption]

Reuters

The result could reshape both the country’s political landscape and Europe’s response to Donald Trump[/caption]

Reuters

German conservative candidate for chancellor and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party leader Friedrich Merz[/caption]

Reuters

Alternative for Germany (AfD) party co-leader Alice Weidel[/caption]

Exit polls have placed AfD high in the tallies of the high-stakes election – but full results are expected on Monday morning.

The centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has come out on top in the exit polls at 29 per cent, but it is falling short of an outright majority.

The race pits the incumbent chancellor against the opposition leader, the vice chancellor and for the first time a leader of a far-right party.

AfD became the first far-right party to win a state election in post-World War II Germany in Thuringia in September.

The party is backed by high-profile US figures like Elon Musk and Vice President JD Vance.

Germany’s electoral system rarely gives any party an absolute majority and opinion polls suggest that no party is anywhere near one this time.

Two or more parties will most likely form a coalition in the coming weeks.

Whichever parties get in could shape Europe’s response to Donald Trump.

Questions remain over whether a coalition could be formed that could break Germany’s long-standing “firewall”.

The “firewall” is the name given to a postwar stance in which mainstream parties have insisted they wouldn’t work with any far-right parties – including AfD.

JD Vance earlier this month said there is no place for “firewalls” during a visit to Munich earlier this month.

AFD’S HISTORIC SURGE

Once considered a political outsider, the AfD has cemented itself as Germany’s second largest party, polling at 21 per cent – more than double its result in 2021.

The party’s momentum has been strongest in Germany’s economically struggling east, but is also gaining traction in the west.

AfD’s campaign has echoed Trump-style populism, with supporters seen wearing MAGA-inspired caps reading “Make Germany Great Again”.

The party’s leader, Alice Weidel, has vowed to “break the firewall” that keeps mainstream parties from cooperating with the far-right.

A protester in Berlin told NBC News that the AfD has gained support from frustrated Germans by giving them “easy answers.”

AfD’s success in September’s state elections, where it won its first-ever governorship in Thuringia and came close in Saxony, signaled its growing influence.

Now, its national rise could force Germany’s mainstream parties to navigate an even more divided political landscape.

THE TRUMP EFFECT

Germany’s next government will be crucial in shaping Europe’s response to Trump.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz previously warned that Trump’s return would be ” a challenge”.

Meanwhile, Weidel has positioned herself as a German ally to Trump’s America.

She has been advocating for a nationalist agenda that includes withdrawing support for Ukraine, lifting sanctions on Russia, and even threatening a referendum on Germany’s EU membership.

Tech mogul and Trump’s “first buddy” Elon Musk amplified AfD’s message by livestreaming an interview with Weidel on X last month.

He posted: “Only the AfD can save Germany.”

Musk’s involvement has sparked concerns about foreign influence in German politics.

JD Vance also made waves by publicly meeting with Weidel and calling for an end to the German political establishment’s longstanding refusal to engage with the AfD.

EPA

US President Donald J. Trump gives remarks to the media in the Oval Office of the White House, as he meets with special government employee Elon Musk[/caption]

The Mega Agency

US Vice President JD Vance at this year’s CPAC in Washington DC[/caption]

ECONOMY & MIGRATION

Germany, once the powerhouse of Europe, has struggled with economic stagnation for the past half decade.

Many voters see this election as a referendum on how to reignite growth.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz, the current front-runner to become Germany’s next chancellor, has promised to fix the economy within four-years – an ambitious goal given the country’s infrastructure and energy woes.

Meanwhile, security and migration have dominated the election campaign following a string of deadly attacks, including a stabbing at Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial on Friday.

AfD has capitalised on these incidents, promoting its “remigration” policy, which includes deporting migrants who have committed crimes.

Getty

German Chancellor Olaf Sholz, leader of the centre-left Social Democrats[/caption]

AFP

Green Party’s main candidate and German Minister of Economics and Climate Protection Robert Habeck[/caption]

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

With 59.2 million Germans eligible to vote, polling stations will closed at 6pm local time, with exit polls providing an early snapshot of the results.

Vote-counting will began as soon as polls close, and a final official result is expected by early Monday.

Unlike some countries, Germany does not allow mail-in ballots to arrive after election day — meaning every vote must be received by the deadline to be counted.

The formation of a new government, however, can take weeks or even months as coalition negotiations unfold.

Merz is widely expected to lead the largest party, but his path to power is unclear.

A coalition will be necessary, with Scholz’s Social Democrats or Robert Habeck’s Greens being the most likely partners.

However, Merz has ruled out working with the AfD, maintaining Germany’s political “firewall” against the far-right.

If exit polls confirm AfD’s meteoric rise, it will mark a turning point in German politics — one that could have ripple effects across Europe and beyond.