Rangers host Aberdeen today in a massive SPFL Premiership meeting with plenty at stake, particularly for Giovanni van Bronckhorst. The Dutchman simply must evoke a response from his team to secure three points and a performance to avoid a perilous tipping point.
The win is a non-negotiable but it is the raft of below par performances that are causing even greater concern as the pressure grows around the manager at Ibrox. Last week’s dismal draw with Livingston was unacceptable, even more so with the fact that Davie Martindale’s side took the lead in the first five minutes. Rangers still couldn’t find a way back.
Gio continues to say all the right things about what his team should be doing and how he wants them to play but that isn’t translating on to the pitch. Several players are terribly out of form too which compounds the misery. It is just not working with time running out fast to prove that things can be turned around under the current regime.
With an upbeat and determined Aberdeen bringing their own challenge today, it is difficult to see how Gio could survive further dropped points today. The volume of discontent would be cranked up too much, with the board already aware of the growing unease. It is that serious at Ibrox.
The pessimism is not unfounded but wouldn’t we all love a convincing Rangers victory with goals shared throughout the team. That would return the serve to many doubters of the Dutchman which would have to be followed up with consistency. That is the challenge.
As it is, real pressure is on with a dangerous edge in sight.