Rangers stars in the firing line as fed-up fan revolt kicks up a gear at expensive Ibrox: view
Today at 06:45 AM
Another poor result for Rangers, another barrage of criticism for an underperforming club.
In every department, Rangers fans have been sold short in recent seasons as the club goes from Scottish Premiership champions to complete disarray in a matter of years.
The positive thing is the club have somewhat accepted the drastic shortcomings of the last few seasons and decided, finally, to change tact.
But as Rangers fans, squeezed ever tighter by the cost of living crisis, continue to pour money into a club which isn't giving them enough back, tensions are at an increasing high.
Now, players have quickly become the collective sounding boards for fan frustrations which run much deeper than just the hallowed turf at Ibrox.
Counter productive verbal barrages of the club's players might not be constructive, but Rangers fans are clearly at a loss as to how they can better organise their quite justifiable frustrations.
Who's responsible? Well, like everyone else at Rangers it seems, we have no idea.
Rangers star closes Instagram amid barrage of criticism
Rangers might not have spent anywhere near as much as Ligue 1 giants Lyon in building their squad, but that didn't stop expectations being high on Europa League duties.
Whilst Rangers fans have had to endure a calamitous succession of failures on the park domestically, punching above our weight on the European stage has been an almighty saving grace.
But as the fourth goal went in against Lyon, James Tavernier's head gone for surely one of the final times in Ibrox colours, there was a sneaking sentiment that our Euro sheen might just have gone with it.
Tavernier, hooked early for one of the first times in his Rangers career, has been the subject of immense criticism this season.
The club's captain, it comes with the territory, but there's a feeling that Philippe Clement might've made a mistake by not taking the right-back out of the firing line this year.
The post-Old Firm abuse is inexcusable, but when Tavernier continues to serve up these uncommitted performances defensively paying supporters are turning off by the unenthusiastic jog-back.
Rangers supporters are demanding, as Vaclav Cerny is also finding out, and the Czech winger hasn't exactly done himself any favours in recent matches.
Whilst any online abuse is not condonable, Cerny riffed at supporters against Hibs before Philippe Clement hauled him off the park.
The winger, who has a penchant for miss-hitting crosses and shots, then fired over the bar from about three yards out before Lyon went into demolition mode on Thursday.
Since that moment, Cerny has been scapegoated, with the Wolfsburg loanee having to deactivate his Instagram account in the meanwhile.
It's not ok and never will be.
But the Czech is the latest in a long-line of players who have felt the wrath of a frustrated support who have, quite simply, had enough.
We're told everyone needs time in Glasgow. Rangers' pace is set to a light jog.
It's all handshakes and welcome aboard, take your time, get comfortable, get your feet under the desk and then maybe you can start producing at some point in your expensive contract.
The fans meanwhile, forking out a fortune on football strips and tickets, are expecting instant intensity, commitment and results, something which they are not seeing being matched from within Ibrox.
Rangers players in firing line of apathetic support
This is a complex issue and one that will not be fixed overnight.
Online abuse is a problem across modern football but at Rangers, it appears to be an increasing issue from which players have no hiding place.
Tavernier and Cerny are recent examples, but Cyriel Dessers, Todd Cantwell and even Malik Tillman have all had their run-ins with expectant supporters.
The players play the game and are unfortunately in the direct line of sight for all of the issues at the club which have Rangers fans constantly on edge.
There has been a clear, unequivocal downturn in quality at Ibrox with domestic success a long-shot even by the most optimistic fan's standards.
European football now looks an increasing bridge too far.
The problem is, with such a huge turnover of players, how can Rangers fans develop positive relationships with the squad and vice verse when every poor result sees frustrated calls for the entire project to be ripped up?
Philippe Clement, also in the firing line, might not get the time he thinks he needs to turn it around.
Fans know it's counter-productive, they know that there is an increasing disconnect from the stands to the dressing room, but yet this friction persists and Rangers are losing the thread.
Form the Ibrox shambles to another failure to reach the Champions League, Rangers are in desperate need of a leadership which the club's hierarchy have been unable to provide both on and off the park.
The only thing that will make a difference to supporters is consistent success.
With the club still a long way away from proving they can deliver it, we don't suspect Rangers will be a happy place to play football for a little while yet.
