After the unmitigated disaster that was the 3-0 Old Firm derby defeat, the focus amongst Rangers supporters is turning to what happens next.
Away to Dundee United on Sunday, Philippe Clement needs his team to show a response. How brutal he plans to be with regards to his team selection, meanwhile, only time will tell.
Clement, during his pre-match press conference, has thrown his support behind captain James Tavernier amid suggestions that he should lose his starting place.
Derek Ferguson, the former Rangers midfielder, believes now may be the time to take Tavernier out of the firing line. Perhaps, alongside the underperforming Mohamed Diomande.
Namesake Barry Ferguson, meanwhile, is keen to see a change made in another area of the pitch. Not at right-back or in the middle of the park, but at centre-half.
Philippe Clement facing difficult Rangers team selection
Robin Propper was labelled a bargain of a signing when he joined from FC Twente for just £1.5 million at the start of August. So far, however, the former Eredivisie captain is yet to really justify those lofty expectations.
After an own goal on his debut against Motherwell, Propper was part of a Rangers backline that was torn to pieces by Celtic at Parkhead.
And Ferguson feels that, with high-flying Dundee United no pushovers, Clement must turn to a man who knows the Scottish Premiership like the back of his hand.
“I would play (Leon) Balogun all day long, all day long,” Ferguson tells Go Radio.
“In terms of Balogun, I just like him and the presence he brings. He’s got good experience and does things really simple which I like from a centre-back.
“But do you know what he is there for? He goes and wins his headers, gets close to the number nine and for me, when he is fit and available, I would always play him.
“Who would be beside him? If you are going on Sunday’s game I would put him beside John Souttar.”
James Tavernier and Robin Propper under pressure
Peter Grant, the Celtic legend and former Scotland international, can understand Ferguson’s point even if Balogun’s mobility is an obvious cause for concern at the age of 36.
Tannadice is, perhaps, the proverbial ‘tough place to go’. And while Propper can still be an outstanding addition to Rangers’ squad, there is no harm in giving the Dutchman a little more time to adapt to the pace of things north of the border.
“(Balogun) gives that bit of leadership, which is important,” agrees Grant. “See, when you go to tough places, you need somebody who is going to put the jacket on with you.
“It doesn’t matter the performance with his legs, his experience can probably help you.”
Clement has a number of tough decisions to make. Chief amongst them, whether to hand Rangers debuts to the deadline-day acquisitions of Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Nedim Bajrami.
The former, flexible enough to play as a centre-half, a defensive midfielder and as a full-back on both flanks, brings real versatility to the table.
Bajrami, meanwhile, believes he is ready to go and make his mark after an impressive display for Albania during the international break.
