We can’t keep making the manager the fall guy. He fixed what he could from last week, brought in three new faces who did alright, but a handful of decent performances don’t win you games when the rest of the squad are anonymous. Big matches expose more than tactics, they expose character and basic ability, and we were found wanting.
Where it went wrong
To be fair, some of the summer signings showed up and looked a cut above what we’ve had recently, but that’s not the point. Chermiti was a non-factor in the areas that mattered, Moore struggled to impose himself, and Skov Olsen and Gassama were poor on the ball and off it. You can criticise selection or shape, but ultimately the players on the pitch have to do the business. When the frontline offers nothing and the midfield fails to control tempo, Danny has little else to change in the moment.
The bench and the nerves
Look at the bench, with Aasgaard and Miovski there, and the manager clearly doesn’t trust them to swing a big game. That’s a problem for recruitment and for confidence within the squad. It’s not just about geeing the boys up before kick-off; it’s about having players with the skill and nerve to step up. Only two lads looked like they could take a penalty and one missed. Penalties are a tiny part of a match but they reveal the mentality in the dressing room.
What needs to change
We’re not comparing to an all-conquering Celtic here; both sides can be poor on their day. The truth is we need more consistency, more players who can change games, and a spine to rely on when things get tight. Fans can moan at the manager, and sometimes that’s fair, but pointing the finger at him every week misses the bigger picture. Recruitment, coaching and player character all matter. Until those pieces improve, we’ll keep seeing nights like this.
As I’ve said on Rangers News Views, this is bigger than one team-talk. We need smarter recruitment that brings in players used to pressure, plus coaching that builds composure for dead-ball situations and penalties. The board have to back sensible signings who can change the course of a match, not just bodies. And players need to show the bottle, the courage to take responsibility when the stadium is tense. Until that culture changes, the manager will always pick up more heat than he deserves.
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