The bi-polar start to Rangers season has seen us score an average of three goals a game at home in the league and beat teams in qualifying for the Champions League who are doing well in the Europa League, however, we all know how that turned out.
Ever since “losing” a four-point advantage over Celtic in the league last season, the pressure has been on Giovanni van Bronckhorst despite our run to the Europa League final and winning the Scottish Cup. Question marks about our style of play and current league status doing little to inspire fans that he is the man to win back the Scottish Premiership trophy.
Steven Gerrard is the rumoured favourite to replace the Dutchman but it would be a massive surprise to see him return, there are though, reports that replacements are being lined up, as claimed by Football Insider:
“Rangers are putting out early feelers as they lay the groundwork for potentially appointing a new manager, sources have told Football Insider.
“It is believed that Rangers are paving the way behind the scenes for a potential manager change by doing background checks and compiling a shortlist of potential replacements.
“They are set to make contact with some of those amid a growing sense that Van Bronckhorst will not be in charge after the World Cup when the Scottish Premiership returns on 15 December.”
I would expect any club in professional football to have a contingency plan whether they are successful or struggling and Rangers should be no different. There aren’t a lot of obvious alternatives just now which is the main reason for Gerrard’s position at the top of the list, a decision to move south for family reasons would mean that a return would be instantly questioned.
Celtic’s form in the league means that Gio will be under even more pressure if we drop points again, four points isn’t insurmountable but if the gap gets any bigger, what many feel is an inevitability could become reality.