In the space of just eight days, this Rangers team has managed to take a healthy chance of hope and smash it to pieces in what is no surprise.
The 4-1 victory over Aberdeen last Saturday saw Gio van Bronckhorst’s side show a spark, energy, some quality and desire. Turns out that it was just a flash in the pan.
Afforded plenty of space by the visitors gameplan, Rangers took full advantage even after the Dons had taken an early lead. The response suggested that there could be some enthusiasm getting through to the World Cup break and beyond. It wouldn’t last, it couldn’t last as evidenced with the pitiful loss in Perth on Sunday.
Getting the freedom of Ibrox to play pretty football in plenty of space last week is meaningless when Gio's Rangers team revert to type within days.
It's time for change, regardless of how this game ends.
— Graeme Hanna (@graeme818) November 6, 2022
The start to the game was far from the worst that we have witnessed this season. There was plenty of endeavour, backed up with the possession stats and corner count which is all well and good, but ultimately pointless when you have nothing to show for it.
To be blunt, Rangers lacked the quality, ingenuity and incision to make the dominance count. Then a collective ‘brainfart’ from several players resulted in a first class finish from St Johnstone’s James Brown. I feel good? Don’t think so.
From there, it just went from bad to worse. The team regressed into their shells with no credible response, no real force not to leave without the win and the play became predictable, with the home defence fairly comfortable.
A John Lundstram strike bounced back off the bar, a few other half chances came close but again Rangers were pickpocketed, victims of their own downfall, caught short, found wanting. We could go on and on but this rot can’t.
This was GIo’s Rangers reverting to type. It is time for change.