A home Old Firm defeat is never good to take, no matter the circumstances, but unfortunately for Rangers, it was the way many expected, and it was the way it happened. Rangers were underdogs, and the game played out the way many probably thought it would.
There were positives to take. Rangers stood up the first half and showed they weren’t going to roll over like last season. 19-year-old Ross McCrorie made his first-team debut, and he put in a fantastic performance. Morelos once again showed we have a striker who is able to put himself about up front, and is a real threat.
However, Rangers slacked off in the second half. Two defensive errors allowed Celtic to gain a foothold in the game, and then there was no way back. Not good enough. Rangers need some strength in depth, as there was no one on the bench who really looked like changing the game.
Another concern is the lack of aggression and physicality in the team. Pedro Caixinha squaring up to Scott Brown at halftime should not be happening. These things should happen on the pitch. Brown elbow’s Ranger’s star striker, and it takes the manager to stick up for him. Is there no one on that pitch who can stick up for Morelos?
But, we move on. The dust has settled, and we now look to see where we are at. If someone said to me at the beginning of the season that Pedro would only win 3 of his first 7 this season, I would off said not good enough. Nevertheless, there has been obvious signs of improvement. Recruitment on the field has been good. These have calmed calls for him to leave.
However, a run of results is needed. Hamilton is a big game on Friday. Lose that, and Rangers could go into the two-week international break in the bottom six. A win is needed off the back of an Old Firm defeat also. It would be unfair for any calls for him to go yet, but a crucial period in his Rangers career is coming up.
You can see how desperately he wants to make it work. I can’t remember a Rangers manager under such intense scrutiny on a daily basis. Despite his moments of madness he never hides (shout out to him taking Windass’s challenge like a champ). Over to you, Pedro.