Rangers fans aren’t stupid, PSV Eindhoven was always a tie that needed a bit of luck or something special to navigate and Michael Beale getting his tactics spot on.
Unfortunately, a combination of luck (Luuk de Jong’s goal at Ibrox at 2-1), individual mistakes (Connor Goldson) and the manager having a tactical nightmare compounded an uphill battle.
There is still plenty for Rangers to be positive about though and Michael Beale now has to get it right domestically, however, his post-match comments as seen on RTV against PSV are cause for concern.
The first block of fixtures has been kind to Rangers in terms of quality of opposition, and yet, we find ourselves behind Celtic in the league on points, even though they have dropped a couple at home.
A home Old Firm derby before the international break was always going to be key but now it holds even bigger importance.
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A 38-game season will always have twists and turns but, in the last two campaigns, the title has been one by success in the Old Firm.
There is no escaping that.
What is worrying though is that the Rangers manager didn’t seem too confident about what our aspirations should be domestically, with Michael Beale looking to park the PSV result:
“For us coming into the first September international break, the aim was to get into the Champions League, get into the quarter-finals of the cup and to end this first period of league fixtures as high up or in front as we can.
“That is still in our hands.”
Rangers shouldn’t be looking to be “as high up” as we can.
An opening sequence of Kilmarnock, Livingston, Ross County and Celtic should have us looking to be top, and clear, nothing else.
Yes, it is still in our hands but Michael Beale has been involved with Rangers long enough to know what the standards are.
And to know what the repercussions will be if we don’t win on Sunday.