Rangers Seek Stability Amid Coaching Changes
A week can feel like an eternity in politics, and for Rangers, the past 12 days have certainly been momentous.
On October 5, Russell Martin parted ways with the club, leaving behind the burdens of the head coach position. His departure was marked by the sight of him discreetly leaving Falkirk Stadium following another disappointing result.
For many supporters, this moment will seem like a distant memory. In less than two weeks, the calls for Steven Gerrard's return have reached a fever pitch, only to be quieted when the former title-winning manager declined the opportunity.
Next in line was former Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl, who also opted out of the running.
Currently, Rangers fans are closely watching the situation at Chinese club Shanghai Port, hoping for signs that coach Kevin Muscat could be on his way to Glasgow.
As the search for a new head coach appears to be nearing a conclusion, the pressing question remains: what challenges will the new manager face upon taking the helm at Ibrox?
Current Standing and Challenges
The answers to this question are both literal and metaphorical. The more straightforward issue is Rangers' performance; following a draw with Falkirk, the team currently sits eighth in the Scottish Premiership, with just one victory—an injury-time winner against newly promoted Livingston.
With five draws and a single defeat, they are level on points with Motherwell and Hibernian, just two points clear of the relegation zone. The gap to league leaders Hearts stands at 11 points, while their city rivals, Celtic, are nine points ahead.
On November 2, Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic will provide the opposition in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final, presenting the new Rangers coach with an immediate high-stakes challenge.
While Rangers have struggled under Martin, Celtic has also faced difficulties, dropping points on two occasions, including at Ibrox. Nonetheless, there remains a belief that Celtic possesses the experience to turn their fortunes around, while Rangers seek new leadership.
After a disappointing exit from the Champions League at the hands of Club Brugge, Rangers now find themselves in 32nd place in the Europa League standings, heading into an away match against Brann on Thursday.
The Need for Stability
The immediate need for Rangers is stability.
In May 2022, Giovanni van Bronckhorst consoled his players after a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss in the Europa League final. Although they followed this with a Scottish Cup victory, just six months later, he was dismissed, igniting a managerial carousel.
Since then, Michael Beale, Philippe Clement, Barry Ferguson, and Martin have all held the reins, with only a League Cup title to show for it.
Former Rangers striker Billy Dodds, who was part of Ferguson's coaching staff, emphasized the need for guidance and stability within the team. He noted that while the players have potential, they require a strong leader to instill the right values and direction.
Since Martin's departure, the coaching duties have been managed by under-19 coach Steven Smith, B Team coach Brian Gilmour, performance coach Rhys Owen, and goalkeeper coach Sal Bibbo.
The squad does possess experience, with senior leaders like Jack Butland, John Souttar, Kieran Dowell, and captain James Tavernier. However, Dodds believes a decisive figure is essential to steer the team forward.
"Tavernier can only do so much; he's not an outspoken leader but rather leads by example on the pitch," Dodds said. He added that while there is a leadership core, it lacks the traditional vocal leaders who can rally the team.
Dodds concluded that it is crucial for the club's management to resolve the coaching situation swiftly and appoint someone capable of providing strong leadership.
Is a Quick Fix Possible?
Despite the current struggles, the core group of players is undeniably capable of better performance this season.
Martin's tactics have been scrutinized, revealing a pattern of passivity that has plagued the team, compounded by defensive frailties.
Nevertheless, the foundation is present. Nicolas Raskin has expressed his commitment to revitalizing the team after a fallout with Martin, and new signing Bojan Miovski, familiar with the league, adds attacking options.
Whoever the new coach may be, patience among the supporters is likely to be thin. Since Gerrard's tenure, Clement has been the longest-serving manager, lasting just over a year.
With a dismal start to the season, the team will need to secure small victories quickly to reassure fans that improvements are on the horizon.
Dodds acknowledged the immediate need for improved confidence and defensive solidity, which has been a persistent issue. He noted that while there is a strong midfield and new attacking talent, changes are necessary to restore the team's confidence.
Ultimately, he stated, the players need guidance and stability to help them navigate this turbulent period.