There has been a touch of confirmation bias in recent weeks regarding criticism of Ross Wilson and Stewart Robertson. We lost the league cup final with a poor display so the whole squad has to be ripped up and rebuilt, ignoring the fact that Michael Beale has won every game apart from the one at Hampden.
Of course, that was the most important one, however, the tactics and team selection were not what anyone was expecting and it would be a massive shock to see the Gers gaffer attempt something similar in the remaining three derbies – this though, has nothing to do with Wilson or Robertson.
Speaking after the game, Beale was asked about the protests in the stands and that fans should be looking forward to what could be a busy summer, as reported by The Rangers Review:
“I understand the fans’ frustration, they don’t know everything that goes on and the work at the club but I understand that they pay their money and they support the club and pack out every away attendance both domestic and in Europe, they pack out every game at Ibrox and they have a right to, in the right way, put across their opinion.
“But I would say since I have come back in that the form of the team has been really good, before that they can be disgruntled but now we are looking forward and moving forward. I would prefer it if we were all on the same page but at the same time, they are entitled to their opinion.
“I think the work going on behind the scenes and toward next season is exciting. It can’t all be revealed now but I would just hope that we can make sure that we’re together moving forward.”
I’ve said before but this season has seen us hit with more than our fair share of bad luck. Long term injuries to key players, plus ones to new signings who, previously, had clean medical histories. When you look at who came in during the summer, only Rabbi Matondo hasn’t really looked like making an impact but he has barely gone two weeks without breaking down.
Not replacing Allan McGregor, not bringing in another centre-half on loan when we knew John Souttar would need another operation or a striker to support Antonio Colak and Alfredo Morelos are accusations that can be thrown at Wilson though. Same with our midfield, not pushing the boat out for Nico Raskin or a player similar to Todd Cantwell is now a glaring mistake when you look at what they have brought to the team instead of extending the contracts of players in the mid to late thirties.
Last January will always be held against our sporting director, however, he has to get it right this summer when there is no room for mistakes. We have to qualify for the Champions League again and not give Celtic a head start in the league because we are on track to finish with enough points to win the league in all but only a few seasons out of the last 20 and are still likely to be some way behind.
Hopefully, as Beale claims, Wilson is going to make the sort of signings that this squad needs to not only close the gap at the top, but be good enough to create one of its own.