Giovanni van Bronckhorst was far from blameless when it came to the reasons for his dismissal, however, it’s also fair to say that he must be the unluckiest manager in the club’s history.
An injury list that rarely fell below double figures, no strikers or senior centre halves for periods of his tenure, a Champions League draw that couldn’t have been any harder and a run of four Old Firm derbies with just one of them at home.
Michael Beale seems to have slightly better fortunes, players are returning to fitness every week and his first derby is at Ibrox. You could argue that he is under less pressure too, seeing as the nine point gap was inflicted before his arrival.
He needs to address three issues though, if he is to enjoy a better start to his Old Firm record than his predecessor.
Sort the midfield
Against Hibs, Aberdeen, Ross County and Motherwell, we have been sloppy, given up easy possession and looked shapeless when we lose the ball. There has to be more control and significantly fewer gaps. No wonder Beale is looking for reinforcements.
Match Celtic for intensity
We all watched Gio go ballistic at his players for switching off at free-kicks and throw ins, it can’t happen again and we should be the ones dictating the tempo playing at home. Effort and work rate are the bare minimum.
Don’t give cheap goals away
The two derbies at Parkhead were littered with them, as was the defeat at Ibrox that ended our title hopes. Greg Taylor’s opener at Hampden was also as soft as they come. If we are to win, we can’t give them a goal or two as a head start.
This Rangers squad is capable of the unexpected and the brilliant, and there would be no better time for them to put together their first complete performance under Beale and start 2023 with renewed hope.