Rangers eased to victory over St Johnstone yesterday but it didn’t stop the Union Bears carrying out their protest.
The ultras still aren’t happy with things at the club and staged their Ibrox walkout on 55 minutes, just after the visitors pulled it back to 3-1.
It came after the Union Bears put out a strong statement demanding Philippe Clement’s sacking but also wanting change higher up amid issues with those running the club.
Gers boss Clement insists he has not felt under pressure but knows things have to improve with a dismal away record and just two wins from the last six games to allow Celtic to pull 15 points clear.
Getting back to winning ways does bring some respite but the support will want to see it on a regular basis to be persuaded things are moving in the right direction.
And Neil McCann isn’t convinced the required performance was on show.
Rangers need direction and identity
The former Rangers winger feels the current side lack and identity in how they play and attack and are in desperate need of some direction from their manager.
He doesn’t see an identifiable pattern of play and insists the Gers players made it too easy for St Johnstone to defend against them.
That may seem like a contradiction with three goals scored in 25 minutes but McCann insists Saints contributed to all three themselves rather than coming from good Rangers play.
He told BBC Sportscene: “St Johnstone were their own downfall. Rangers really struggled again, I know they took a handsome lead in 25 minutes with three goals.
“But I just feel they need direction. They need a clear pattern of play and I don’t see it.
“Too many times they tried to go on the outside and not being dangerous, not penetrating.
“Too many times they tried to go to the wings and if you’re playing against a low block then it becomes really easy.
“I think Rangers have really good players but I’m looking for clear directives, clear patterns of play.
“If they don’t get patterns of play then you need invention, and we don’t see it enough.”
Steven Naismith identifies Rangers problem
The second half performance was much flatter and the score remained at three. Steven Naismith remembers being a Rangers player and subs coming on determined to rack up big scorelines, which he doesn’t see now.
He added “One more point I would make on the Rangers subs. How many times have we (Naismith and McCann) been at the club and it’s 3-0 and you come on and score four, five, six.
“That very rarely is happening and that is probably a problem as well.”
