Rangers Face Discontent Amidst Management Turmoil
May 30 was anticipated to mark a new beginning for Rangers.
With new investment, a fresh regime, and a new manager on the horizon, hopes were high following the arrival of a US-based consortium promising to restore the club to its former glory.
However, the initial excitement has faded. The once-prominent “Make Rangers Great Again” merchandise is now shelved, and the star-spangled banners in the Ibrox stands have been replaced by protest signs, reflecting the growing dissatisfaction among fans.
Five tumultuous months have passed since Andrew Cavenagh and his group took over, and the optimism has been overshadowed by continuous disappointment.
The situation has been dire. New head coach Russell Martin has departed after just 123 days, leaving the club to navigate yet another managerial search filled with ridicule as candidates came and went, until Danny Rohl eventually returned to take the reins.
Fans have confronted board members in public spaces, and on the field, the team finds itself 14 points behind the Premiership leaders, struggling in European competitions.
The latest setback came during a Europa League match against Roma, where Rangers succumbed to a 2-0 defeat, appearing lackluster throughout the game.
In reality, Roma didn’t need to push hard for a third goal against a Rangers side that remains without any points in the group stage.
There have been glimmers of improvement under Rohl, who has secured two victories in his first five matches. Some Rangers supporters are eager for the January transfer window, but doubts linger about whether it will bring the much-needed turnaround.
‘It was uninspiring’
Thursday’s defeat marked a seventh consecutive loss in Europe, setting a disheartening club record. Pre-match displays featuring tifo banners of Rangers’ Roman warriors were overshadowed by messages declaring, “This is not a hobby; this is our lives,” as the match unfolded in a familiar pattern of self-destruction.
Roma took the lead with an unmarked header from Matias Soule just 13 minutes in, followed by a stunning finish from Lorenzo Pellegrini, assisted by Artem Dovbyk, exposing a vulnerable Rangers defense. A third goal was unnecessary.
Rohl, who seems to have gained more popularity than his predecessor, made five substitutions, including one at halftime, and altered the team’s formation multiple times.
While there was a slight improvement, with Rangers creating chances, the final execution often fell short. It appeared that Roma could have escalated their performance if needed.
“It was uninspiring,” commented former Rangers striker Steven Thompson on Sportsound. “They huffed and puffed in the second half. It was an improvement, but not enough.”
He noted Rohl’s forward-thinking approach, suggesting that while there may be incremental improvements, they are unlikely to reach a level that satisfies the supporters.
‘Have they signed anyone better than they’ve let go?’
This concern resonates strongly with Rangers fans, the head coach, and Cavenagh. The squad, which has already undergone significant changes, requires further adjustments.
In June, Cavenagh mentioned the club’s “impatience” for success while announcing a £20 million investment. Much of the discussion centered on whether this would be sufficient to close the gap with Celtic and if additional funds would follow.
While substantial investment has been made in the Rangers squad, the effectiveness of these expenditures remains debatable. A reported £8 million was spent on Youssef Chermiti, who had not scored in 28 months before joining. After twelve appearances, he has netted only once.
Other players, including Oliver Antman, Oscar Cortes, Thelo Aasgaard, Emmanuel Fernandez, and Djeidi Gassama, have also joined for significant fees, but their impact is questionable.
Meanwhile, Hamza Igamane departed for over £10 million, and the criticized Cyriel Dessers left after a successful season scoring 29 goals. Vaclav Cerny, who contributed 19 goals, also exited upon the completion of his loan deal.
“Have Rangers signed anyone better than those they’ve let go?” asked Rangers legend Ally McCoist on TNT Sports. “Forget just one transfer window; it might take three. It’s a big job. A very big job.”
“Rangers are crying out for help,” added Alan Hutton, emphasizing the need for reinforcements in the upcoming January transfer window.
To bring in new players, it is likely that some will need to leave, especially in a transfer window that is traditionally challenging. This is compounded by the critical sentiment expressed by supporters regarding the current regime’s performance.
Chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell have faced protests from fans, with banners reappearing and calls for accountability growing louder.
With Martin gone, the scrutiny now falls squarely on Stewart and Thelwell, who have yet to alleviate the mounting pressure. Only victories can shift this narrative, and they need to come soon.
Rangers’ immediate focus should be on domestic competitions. In their recent League Cup semi-final against Celtic, they played much of the match with ten men. There were positives to draw from their narrow win at Easter Road and overcoming a resurgence from Kilmarnock to secure victory.
Post-match, Rohl expressed optimism about seeing a team “willing to turn things around” and is “totally convinced” that improvement is possible. Remarkably, they are only five points behind Celtic, although they trail further behind Hearts. The season is not yet lost.
However, the path ahead remains challenging. Five months after that hopeful day in May, brighter days seem more distant than ever. In their urgent quest for success, Rangers may face more difficulties ahead.