Rangers are a club in turmoil both on and off the pitch with Philippe Clement looking increasingly like he is a man on borrowed time.
The Ibrox hotseat is not for the feint hearted, but the under-fire manager seems intent on digging his heels in and ploughing on, regardless of fan opinion on his future.
A lack of executives on the football board appears to be saving his skin, however, if the reports of Steven Gerrard’s sacking are true, Rangers chairman John Gilligan might get trigger happy with a perceived tap-in in front of him.
Steven Gerrard shadow looms as Rangers face Philippe Clement call
Despite talking a good game in terms of what he wants to see from his squad, Clement’s demands are falling on deaf ears.
Pittodrie was the latest example of a pre-match interview demanding aggression and intensity, only to leave it until the second half to kick into gear.
Either the manager can’t get his point across, or the players aren’t listening, either way, it’s a worrying state of affairs.
In 2007 when Rangers were in a similar mess, they turned to Walter Smith, a proven winner who knew the club and what the demands were.
In 2024, the only manager with similar qualities is Steven Gerrard.
Nothing has been confirmed but there are reports from Saudi Arabia that the Al Ettifaq manager is about to lose his job, which would make Gerrard even more enticing to the Rangers board.
On this occasion though, a repeat of the 2007 decision shouldn’t be made.
Why Rangers should avoid the Steven Gerrard temptation
Steven Gerrard is not Walter Smith. Gerrard left Rangers, three months into a season, days before a league cup semi-final. His sarcastic “Do I look happy?” interview with Emma Dodds only made matters worse.
According to Dave King though, Gerrard didn’t jump, he was pushed:
“Let’s be absolutely clear, Steven was not ready to go when he went.
“Steven wanted to defend the title and I’d extended his contract at his request,” said the former Rangers chairman.
“Steven was absolutely kicked out. I have no doubts about that.
“He did not want to leave at that point in time. He would have left, but not at that point in time. It wasn’t what he wanted to do.”
With hindsight, whoever made the decision, Gerrard probably wishes that he had stayed and added to his Scottish Premiership title win of 2020/21.
Rangers need to look forwards and get a proper plan in place with a competent CEO and sporting director leading the way, and not look backwards with blue-tinted glasses, however tempting it might be.
