Following Rangers record European defeat, a humiliating 1-7 loss to Liverpool, it appears that the writing is on the wall for Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
With this latest heavy defeat less than half way through the season following on from the sorry mess of the Celtic and Ajax double header, there is very little goodwill left amongst the supporters meaning that the reaction to any further dropped points in the Premiership will be ferocious. It is harsh, but only title success can save the manager’s job in the unlikely event that his team can prove that they have what it takes to go the distance.
Last night in the Champions League meeting with Liverpool, Rangers were in the game until 1-3. It would have taken something spectacular to ensure a share of the spoils at that stage but the fourth goal for Jurgen Klopp’s team removed any doubt. What happened next was simply unacceptable, not helped by GvB’s baffling decision to change his front line, like for like. Kent, Colak and Sakala were replaced by Matondo, Morelos and Wright despite the visitors already having wrapped up the victory.
The towel was thrown in, Rangers capitulated and went on to lose three more with Mo Salah’s hat-trick coming within a six minute period, setting a new Champions League record in the process.
It was damning, it was woeful, it was embarrassing.
Damage
The outcome is that Rangers have suffered a very damaging blow in regard to the overall season, regardless of Europe which is now something of an afterthought as much as third place in Group A is still mathematically possible.
Motherwell in the Premiership comes next, on Sunday and nothing less than a win will do. The same applies the whole way through to the World Cup break but what is the direction at present, on and off the pitch. Confidence and leadership is at a low ebb for sure.
Players, manager and directors are all culpable for this very heavy loss, the latest of a few already in this campaign but it will be Gio who will take the fall if the pattern continues for much longer.