Ally McCoist has expressed his concern that Rangers urgently need to find strong leadership if they are to salvage anything from the 2024/25 season, following their bruising 3-0 defeat to Celtic.
Rangers’ loss on Sunday, 1 September, extended Philippe Clement’s troubled run against Celtic, and the manner of the defeat will have felt painfully familiar to the Ibrox faithful.
With the first Old Firm clash of the season bearing an uncomfortable resemblance to past encounters, Clement will be desperate to turn the tide before the campaign concludes.
Speaking live on talkSPORT on 2 September, McCoist did not mince his words, stressing the absence of leadership within the Rangers squad.
“I’m swerving it [what do Rangers do next] because that was disappointing at the weekend, I mean it was devastating,” McCoist admitted.
“Celtic didn’t even look like they’d gotten out of second gear. We’re just lacking leadership.”
The need for a solution at Rangers has never been more pressing. Despite a busy summer transfer window, which saw a number of new players brought in, the team’s fortunes against Celtic remain unchanged.
Since Steven Gerrard’s departure, Rangers have struggled to find consistency and identity. The appointment of Michael Beale following Giovanni van Bronckhorst was an attempt to unify the squad and rejuvenate the fanbase, but it’s clear that the problems run deeper.
Clement’s tenure has been marked by inconsistency, with a mix of highs and lows in his first season. The early stages of his first full campaign in charge, however, have not inspired confidence.
Rangers currently sit in fourth place, five points off the top of the table, a position that is far from acceptable for a club of their stature.
In an effort to turn the tide, Clement included new signings such as Connor Barron and Robin Propper, a former FC Twente standout, in the squad for the Old Firm match. Yet, Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic side simply had too much quality, outclassing their rivals in every department.
If significant changes aren’t made soon, Rangers risk being out of the title race before the turn of the year.
The need for strong leadership and a clear strategy is now more urgent than ever if Clement is to steer the club back on course and restore their competitive edge.