Leaderboard

With just ten days until Rangers kick off their competitive season at Tynecastle next weekend, it's fair to say it's been less than a positive summer for our supporters with two main lowlights dominating the discussion in recent weeks. For many, the main point of contention will be the issues related to stadium improvements at Ibrox. Work to construct an additional cantilever section of seating similar to that of the Govan Stand in 2006 was brought to an abrupt halt apparently due to a shortage of steel from Asia - though there are suggestions that's not the only reason. This means with a fortnight left until our first 'home' game of 2024/25, we know that match will be played at Hampden but that’s it. From average Joes in the Copland to high profile commercial club partners, none of us know our seat or the logistics associated with getting there. Worse, we’ve no idea how long this will be for. To call this a shambles is an understatement. Now, the intentions associated with the works are good ones. From providing better facilities for our disabled fans, to ensuring we’re fulfilling UEFA rules for European matches, such improvements are often non-negotiable and necessary. However, with a tight schedule for the project any issue was always going to be problematic and some things can happen which are unforeseen, no matter how well you plan. However, to not account for such simple eventualities as material supply really is embarrassing for all associated with the works. Material orders should have been made with back-ups in mind and Rangers could easily have ensured they had alternative stadium agreements already in place in the event there were delays. It seems this didn’t happen and someone – not just the individual apparently fired – should be clear and up front why the process was so flawed. Either way, our summer wasn’t off to a good start when initial rumours turned to formal delay announcements last month. No matter, even with the red face we all have to complement our new Rangers strips (the emails asking us to buy these weren’t delayed), surely the more important stuff of improving the squad would take our minds off having to sit at Hampden instead of Ibrox? An unsuccessful season last term – albeit with a reasonable European run and winning the League Cup despite having to change our manager early doors – and a raft of players coming to the end of their contract meant wholesale amendments to the squad were required. Again, this was no easy task. With seven players either leaving on a free or their loan deals ending, that was the minimum number of additions needed over the summer. To that end, we have seen eight players come in but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Two of these were players returning from loan: Sam Lammers and Ianis Hagi whose Rangers careers appear to be all but over with neither likely to feature for the first team again. Similarly, Oscar Cortes was already here on loan last season. That leaves five new players (Kelly, Jefte, Nsiala, Barron and Igamane), none of whom could be considered first picks, to supplement a bloated squad that was always going to need further urgent, quality upgrades. In fact, Jack Butland aside, it’s difficult to make the case for any player as being essential for the future and even the big Englishman might be dispensable to help pay for reinforcements. Indeed, a variety of players have been linked with moves away. From captain James Tavernier (who hasn’t featured in any pre-season game so far) to his declining deputy Connor Goldson and mercurial midfielder Todd Cantwell, suggestions of their exit appear strong with the hope reasonable compensation will be agreed for their services, allowing us to replace them with better. Yet, at the time of writing, none and have actually moved on and no-one else has arrived. Add in the failure to find buyers for more fringe players such as Davies, Dowell, Matondo, Wright and Lawrence – all who have been shown to be unreliable in terms of fitness and/or quality – then fans are rightly confused ahead of our two final friendlies this week and a closing deadline for the vital CL qualifier in early August. All this means criticism of the club has been quickly building in recent weeks as fans start to lose patience. Stadium problems are one thing but a demonstrable lack of direction and leadership is quite another. The club have released empty emails on the Hampden move but when it comes to matters on the pitch, our communication is even worse. We’ve seen conflicting statements to (and by) the manager about strengthening the team and its uncertain just how long Phillipe Clement will put up with what appears to be a lack of support for his ambitions. What was the Belgian told last year before he took the job? What has changed since? Why are squad changes taking so long? Who is responsible for the day-to-day decision-making at the club and is this delaying all these essential processes? Why has this unacceptable situation been allowed to develop? Only one person can answer these questions and that’s the chairman/temporary CEO John Bennett. Conspicuous by his absence in terms of fan communication, the scrutiny and pressure upon him is now intense. Ultimately, the buck stops with him and all the negative issues of recent years are arguably his responsibility. It doesn’t matter if it’s the farce of Old Firm ‘friendlies’ abroad or the more critical lack of joined up thinking when it comes to managers, sporting directors and the football department, it’s very difficult not to think Bennett and his fellow board members are out of their depth. The chairman has promised a more in-depth statement by the end of this month. However, I think we must make it abundantly clear before this happens, his interview cannot consist of generic soundbites, excuses and moonbeams but be accompanied with clear actions. What we need to see is players moved out now with better replacements brought in immediately. Equally, we need a new Chief Executive with genuine experience and board members with gravitas that can work from Ibrox on a day-to-day basis; not part-time from afar. And, if this can’t happen quickly enough, then be honest, be transparent and be clear too. Is this season to be one of longer-term transition? Should our expectations be more cautious as a result? Will the appointment of suitably qualified directors take more time? When will we return to Ibrox? Is the manager on board with all the above? In conclusion, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say John Bennett is in the last chance saloon with many Rangers fans. Yes, his financial support of the club has been essential in recent years and that backing cannot be under-estimated. Likewise, we just can’t snap our fingers or stamp our feet and have a range of rich benefactors ready to invest into or buy the club. But neither can that mean poor performance is excused and there is too much evidence of serious mistakes across the club in recent seasons that tell us leadership is lacking. The clock is ticking then: not just for the completion of the Copland Road and not just for changes to the squad but for changes to the very fabric of how the club is run for this season and beyond. With the club’s competitive foundation of success in increasingly clear question, we cannot be found wanting.

Yes it's a friendly, yes there's no continuity to the team selection and yes, we shouldn't over-react but that really was atrocious throughout that first half from Rangers. I wrote at length about the board on our main site today. If this continues, the manager will be next. I appreciate Clement has lost players and hasn't yet replaced them properly. But that doesn't explain the awful attitude of those playing tonight, their apparent lack of tactical understanding/plan and our complete inability to do the basics anywhere correct. This can be summed up in one easy post. We had several weeks of the Euros to grab ideas and find new systems during our pre-season. We're still using the same tired 4-2-3-1 and our best tactic is to go with the Southgate attacking throw-in back to the goalkeeper and launch long.

After some (valid) criticism at HT, only fair I point out that was better in 2nd half and we arguably merited a draw in the end. However, too often last season we didn't start playing for long periods and this cannot happen again when the competitive stuff starts next week. Negatives were highlighted earlier so some positives now: Kelly's distribution was very good; Nsiala grew into the game; we scored an excellent goal and a few of the younger lads looked bright. But, overall, it was far from good enough and we must show improvement on Saturday.

Something isn't right. Everywhere you look there are problems but the team just isn't functioning as a unit. Unless drastic changes are made, this season is going to be a nightmare.

Ngl I've got the fear for Clement watching this.

I'd agree if we looked cohesive. This is a mess. It doesn't matter if it's your first XI or a second string side, they should all know what to do and follow a shape and structure. We just look very confused.

I've got the same Barnet and a year older. The old man reassures me that grass doesn't grow on busy roads.

Cerny's first senior goal knocked Celtic out of the Europa league.

Celtic weren't substantially better than us last season and so far all they've done is replace their keeper. At best they've stood still, so far. Have we regressed a bit, or stood still also? Losing Lundstram and Barasic weakens the squad, time will tell if Baron and Jefte are adequate replacements. Sima is the biggest loss to our squad and he's not been replaced. It would be astonishing if we don't sign at least a couple of forward players before the window closes. I expect we'll strengthen elsewhere too as other players leave. It's frustrating we don't have more players in so they can get to know their team mates and Clement's demands, but it's still only July. You have to assume things are going on, talks are taking place. There tends to be a domino effect, someone in the chain needs to sell or buy and that triggers a raft of moves. I think we will need to get used to Rangers playing younger home grown players this season too. Not first choice, but when injuries and suspensions happen I think Clement will have to play the youth. In my experience Rangers supporters are all for this until it actually happens, we're not the most patient support.

I've been impressed with Barron at Aberdeen and so far at us. Clearly he's still very raw but he's a good addition to the squad.

100% spot on Frankie - brilliant article.

It's obvious you didn't watch the first half. How anyone can have a go at the travelling support for booing that is bizarre.

Whole team been rotten. This is fuckin embarrassing

Thankfully we'll not face many teams of this quality this season..............

Nsiala looks like a prospect so far. Good defensive instincts. Which is a novelty for us.

At the risk of being disloyal, I'd have Mackay, just ahead of Greig. Bremner once made the mistake of tangling with Mackay.

Saltcoats Vics apparently.

Comparing ourselves to Celtic is obviously the main metric but it really is all about our own shortcomings at the moment. We can't be side-tracked by what they do or don't do.

Will have to find a replacement player for the B team squad.....

It's the hope that's the killer.

Yfeko has joined Exeter on loan.

Cantwell is frustrating but as you say, he offers something and can create a chance out of nothing. Probably the only player in our entire squad who can. We all wanted the dressing room emptied but it's becoming a soap-opra. There is an element of toxicity around everything connected with the club at the moment. It's worrying.

Agree with all of that. If we go with 4231 again we are doomed but it doesn't look like he will change it. It was a shambles tonight and reminiscent of Beale's pre season.

That's a pretty poor response to be honest. Absolving himself of any blame and responsibility.

I only caught snippets of the second half but the amount of bed wetting both here and on twitter reinforces my long-held view that all pre-season friendlies should be behind closed doors with no tv coverage. The matches almost always fail to entertain, the second half is usually non-stop interruptions with subs, and it would be far better for players to find their feet away from the glare of supporters. Getting booed off at HT in a bounce game is a new low. What chance do our young and new players have when they are not allowed even a half a bounce game without such harsh scrutiny?

My god... we have a squad full of really bang average footballers.

Same old story: we don't take enough of our chances and give away silly goals. . It's worrying how predictable we are.

I actually wondered who it was for a minute 😂

It doesn't help that we appear not to know what system we are playing. There is nothing, absolutely nothing in those 45mins to suggest we have a system in place that the players know or understand. It's almost as if Clement is making it as hard as Beale did.

I know we're not meant to read too much into a friendly, but it'd be nice to string a few passes together.

Good to see our finishing has improved since last season. That's Matando, Lowry, Ridvan and Danilo all with great chances squandered

You were saying?

He is on the bench tonight - hopefully get some game-time.

He's been injured for much of this year so hopefully will start forcing himself back into the first team now he's fit again. I think he's still 2-3 weeks behind everyone else though.

26 has someone checked his birth certificate 😟

Infuriates me, especially the Man Utd version. How to ruin something great in one simple step.

Not sure what the solution would be either. We've probably got the fan base to generate a better broadcast deal in house (RTV). I know there's talk of the women's team joining the WSL, honestly, even if it meant starting in league 2 I'd do the same for the men's. Bear in mind I'm a ted who lives in England, I appreciate for you Scottish lads the ties are far stronger. Nothing will change, Scottish football hates us and always will.

4 clubs isn't that drastic is it? When you consider one of those is where he was in the academy at. He's had 2 big injuries in the past but has only missed 4 days in 3 seasons. With Covid. Idk if that constitutes as injury prone. That kind of record just makes me think of rotten luck, like Joe Gomez for Liverpool.

Good news is that the Cerny links are genuine so hopefully news on that over the next day or two...

I've never felt so low for preseason!!. Dreading the season ahead!.

I can't remember a pre-season being this low key. Obviously, there's still time for quite a lot to happen but I'm dreading seeing the same old faces line up against Hearts. Downhearted is the word to describe it.

By the seventies he was in English League Division 2, Coventry, Brighton so his career was ending at the start of the fifty year period but mid to late sixties he was an absolutely cracking player with the Hibs, then Sunderland.

That's us in the last 16 of CL now !! That is quite a leap 😁 We'd need to play 14 games to get to the last 16 (unless yo have us finishing in the top eight places in the new League format. When I was a lad, you only needed to play eight games to reach the final.