Rolling over at Rugby Park was unacceptable. Losing to Aberdeen was unthinkable. But failing to find a way past Motherwell on Sunday will be unforgivable for the majority of Rangers fans.
Listen, I get the anger that is floating around the supporters right now. Tempers are high and that’s no surprise with Philippe Clement and his team are now trailing BOTH Aberdeen and Celtic by nine points.
Ahead of the game, that was never an outcome I even considered. For me, Rangers simply HAD to cut the gap on the Dons back to three. So to come away with the gap increased is hugely alarming. And alarming is the only word I can think of to describe the first half performance at Pittodrie.
Clement came out after the game and described his team’s display as one of the best he’s seen this season. But for me, the truth is Rangers were a mile off it during the first 45 minutes. I was actually taken aback by how poor we were in that opening half.
Yes they improved for a spell after the interval and for a good goal back through Nedim Bajrami. But where was that spirit, that belief, that energy in the first period?
Why did the team not start the game that way, like they did against Steaua Bucharest last week. That was a performance full of vigour and desire. But in a huge game against a brilliantly organised Aberdeen side sent out by Jimmy Thelin, there was no sign of the fighting qualities that had earned an encouraging 4-0 win in the Europa League just a week before until the second half. It should have been evident from minute one.
I think it’s important I make mention of the Dons. They were excellent and fully merit not only the victory, but their lofty perch at the top of the table alongside Celtic. But I’m a Rangers fan and for me the concern is the worrying direction of our side.
I was brought up during an era where second best was utterly unacceptable at Ibrox. So what does that make third best, as is the case now? Personally, I just feel drained by the whole thing which left me with an empty feeling.
I know folk are calling for the manger’s head but I just don’t see that. The fact is that Philippe has signed a new contract at the start of the season and the club have just announced losses of £17million. I’m not sure they are in a position to pay off another manager, having gone through that costly process twice before with Gio van Bronckhorst and Michael Beale.
So I think the board will stand by the Belgian coach. But where does that leave the club and the team? Well the answer is clear, needing to win games and that is why beating Motherwell this Sunday in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final is an absolute necessity.
It’s the very definition of a must-win game. If they don’t, well, what happens next will be uncomfortable for everyone concerned…