Steven Gerrard took responsibility for the defeat yesterday and admitted Livingston deserved the three points. And he must be commended for it.
But that doesn’t take away from what was a terrible performance from Rangers.
It was undeniably Rangers worst performance under Gerrard and more than anything it came out of the blue. Or the white.
Rangers were stodgy in possession and the players looked bemused at the set up. Only slightly more bemused than the fans in the stands or those at home. Rangers were shapeless, gutless and looked lost.
There was little creativity in the final third and the team never looked like scoring. Gerrard himself said we could’ve played another 60 minutes and still not score. We also made several changes from even the side that played last week against St. Johnstone. We were complacent and looked uninterested.
The players might not have played well, but is this going to be a wake-up call for the backroom staff?
A lot of experimenting in a difficult game
Away from home, Rangers and Gerrard seem determined to set up differently.
Against Motherwell and Celtic, Rangers set up differently and came away with poor results. The same thing happened yesterday.
At home, we set up with a 4-5-1/4-3-3 and Rangers look dangerous, controlling and comfortable. Away from home, when we’ve put three at the back or two up front we look discombobulated.
Gerrard has been changing things up away from home and it’s failing. Is it time to stick with the style that’s made Ibrox a fortress?
Pitch shocking and Rangers poor but Livingston deserved winners
Blame the pitch if you want, but Rangers didn’t come anywhere near to the standards they’ve set recently. That said, it was disgraceful. Players sliding everywhere and those black pellets flying up with every touch. It’s worse than the surface I play fives on every week.
Livingston were superb and deserved the win. Rangers didn’t match them for heart, desire or effort, and that’s why the home team picked up the points. Not because of the pitch.
For Gerrard, he now needs to look at maintaining consistency. Yes he’s trying to get players fit and into the squad, but we cannot afford to drop any more points.
Hearts next week is huge.