The final straw: Rangers need proper change

Even if you didn’t expect a win, there’s no excusing an abject Rangers performance when it matters. The bigger worry is how many in this squad still look short physically and mentally.

I didn’t go into yesterday thinking Rangers were certainties, but that doesn’t make the performance any easier to swallow. It’s not about losing a game. It’s about looking like we’re second best in the basics when the pressure’s on. And for a lot of us, that’s the bit that feels like the final straw.

I’ve tried to give every player the benefit of the doubt. You always want to believe there’s a response coming, that they’ll show a bit of bottle and drag us through the ugly moments. But time and again, when it really matters, this squad looks found wanting. Not one area. Across the pitch.

Weakness runs through the team

From goalkeeper to striker, we look soft, and I don’t just mean physically. It’s the mental side too. Little moments where you need someone to take responsibility, slow the game down, win a second ball, put a marker down. Instead it feels like we’re waiting on someone else to do it.

That’s why the talk can’t just be about a tweak here or a signing there. Truth is, it looks like it needs a proper refresh. Not a total clear-out, because that’s not realistic in a couple of windows, but a heavy turnover. When you’re talking 7 or 8 players in across the next two windows, that tells you how big the job is.

Danny gets a pass, but not forever

I’m still giving Danny a pass for now. He’s working with what he’s inherited, and that’s a tricky place to be at Rangers because there’s no patience when results turn. But that grace period doesn’t last forever. He needs a team ready to go from day one next season. Not “give it a few months”, not “still bedding in”. Day one.

And part of that is being ruthless when you know what you’re seeing. Once more options are available, he can’t keep leaning on the same players if they’re not delivering. If he keeps starting lads who aren’t giving him enough, he’ll wear it himself.

Scottish Cup hope, but be honest about it

Of course we can still win the Scottish Cup. It’s a cup competition, and strange things happen. But if we’re being honest, it’s hard to feel confident when we’d likely need to go through one of the two sides ahead of us, and this season we’ve not looked likely in those games.

So aye, keep the faith because that’s what we do. But don’t kid ourselves. Rangers need stronger characters, better athletes, and more consistency. If this is the standard when it matters, then change isn’t optional. It’s the whole point of next season.

Written by Onewaltersmith: 22 December 2025