Rangers will have a long two weeks turning up at training having to wait to make amends for the collective shambles served up at Parkhead.
Philippe Clement won’t be getting much sleep either as he mulls over the decisions that he made before and during the Old Firm derby.
The manager has a long time before he gets another shot at Celtic with a lot of games between now and then, but what does he have to do to bring calm and order back to Ibrox?
- READ MORE: How Rangers should line-up for January Old Firm, will Philippe Clement make these seven changes?
Five things Rangers need to do to improve
Just as things started to look better with progressively improved performances against Motherwell, St Johnstone and Ross County, the wheels fell off when Rangers needed them to be secured firmly to the ground.
There are things that the Gers boss can work on with his squad before Dundee come to reopen Ibrox on the other side of the international break.
Midfield
Last-minute signing Nedim Bajrami is the great hope for the number 10 role but Clement needs to consider whether or not his current system is working.
There are adaptations in and out of possession that he can make with the easiest change being personnel.
Nicolas Raskin is the closest thing to a natural number six that Clement has at his disposal and a return to the starting XI is a must to shore up some of the gaps in the engine room.
Mohamed Diomande
What the gaffer also has to do is simplify Mohamed Diomande’s role.
At the moment, Diomande is trying to do everything himself.
He has all the technical ability in the world and does a lot of good quality work without the ball but he needs to calm down.
Barry Ferguson had a similar skillset but knew his limitations, when to go forward and when to play it safe, Diomande must learn this lesson too.
James Tavernier
The skipper’s form has been worrying since pre-season.
Against Celtic, Daizen Maeda caused him all sorts of problems as he was caught napping, flat-footed, and day dreaming.
With Dujon Sterling and Neraysho Kasanwirja both quick, athletic and competent 1v1 defenders, Tavernier is looking over his shoulder.
He needs to pull his socks up.
Danilo
With another two weeks training, the £6m signing will be fit enough to start games consistently.
If Clement wants his forward line to press, it needs to be more mobile.
Danilo is the quickest number nine at the club and has shown that he can score goals and create chances for others.
Hamza Igamane
He’s raw, untested at senior level, but showed more courage against Celtic in his fleeting cameo than most of his senior teammates.
Fans need something to get excited about rather than watching the same old faces miss chance after chance.
Players at this level shouldn’t need to be told to track runners and to be switched on in and around their own area, however, this is where Rangers are currently at.
There are other problems, but addressing these issues would be a start and at least show that the manager is aware of what needs to be done.
