The weight of the Rangers jersey is such that those who fail to correctly carry its burden often fall foul of the support’s expectations.
This is especially true of the last three years, where the Rangers squad faced tense inquisitions by the week after continuing failures to deliver on the demands of fans.
It’s an issue which has continued into this season, and one Philippe Clement at least tells us he’s in the process of fixing, with talk of Rangers’ expectations never too far from the Belgian, even if mixed results this season haven’t been.
But there is a level of introspection perhaps required at Rangers, with patience non-existent and several players failing to stand tall on the platform presented them at Ibrox.
No fewer than five top talents have stumbled at Rangers in recent seasons, some having been told they are not good enough, only to go on and make their mark in Europe.
If Rangers aren’t careful, the worrying performances of one of the club’s most talented players could soon see the tally rise to six.
Rangers quintet making post-Ibrox headlines
Rangers fans are getting used to Malik Tillman pulling up trees at PSV Eindhoven on a near weekly basis.
The USA international spent a season on loan at Rangers in 22/23, only for Bayern to subvert an option-to-buy clause by immediately activating a buyback.
Rangers profited, at least off the park, but lost out on one of the brightest young talents in the European game.
PSV are also set to profit, both on the park and off it, with Tillman’s Champions League double against Shakhtar only emboldening interest from the Premier League and beyond.
The sky is the limit.
And yet whilst at Rangers, there were plenty who criticised Tillman for going missing in the big games, even suggesting he was not worth the £5m fee it took to sign him.
Now, even the £13m PSV Eindhoven paid in the summer looks a snip.
Malik Tillman isn’t the only one either; there are several who have temporarily stopped off at Rangers and been undoubtedly boosted by that high-pressure exposure to life at Ibrox.
Amad Diallo is now starring in the Manchester United first team after toiling in front of the Ibrox crowd. Abdallah Sima just started for Brest in the Nou Camp in the Champions League. Fabio Silva is in the Portugal squad.
Heck, even Sam Lammers scored at Old Trafford earlier in the season.
That’s five talents who couldn’t quite cut the mustard at Rangers, but who’re now undoubtedly better for the painful experience they endured at Ibrox.
And one Rangers first-teamer could soon be number six.
Rangers diamond struggling to shine
When Rangers signed Mohamed Diomande, the Ivorian was to be the poster boy of the Ibrox side’s revamped approach to player trading.
Completing a £4.3m move from Danish side FC Nordsjælland in the summer, Diomande is viewed as a diamond and has shown flashes of the clear technical ability he possesses.
But the pressure of life at Rangers is already taking its toll.
The 23-year-old has been dropped by the Ivory Coast national side, whilst Philippe Clement slammed Mohamed Diomande’s performance in the 1-1 draw with Dundee United, where the midfielder was hooked at half-time.
Rangers fans expect more from such a substantial outlay but as the pressure rises at Ibrox, Diomande looks increasingly forlorn and lacking in confidence.
It’s up to the Rangers coaching staff to find a way to get Diomande back playing to his best, with the expectations of the support almost certainly not going to change.
But as Rangers fans groan about the impact of the Right to Dream Academy star, there’s a lingering fear that the midfielder might join the growing legions who’re stealing headlines after leaving Ibrox, rather than making them whilst at the club.
It’s a familiar story of what might’ve been. Let’s hear the tale of what can be.
