John McGinn has voiced his belief that Rangers supporters are crying out for “a spark” as the Ibrox club lags eight points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
The Aston Villa midfielder says he isn’t surprised by the gap at the top, given Rangers’ current struggles on and off the pitch.
The Gers’ 1-1 draw with Dundee United on Saturday [23 November] added to the growing discontent. They needed a Vaclav Cerny equaliser to salvage a point after Sam Dalby’s opener in what was another frustrating performance at Ibrox.
Speaking on The Scottish Football Social Club [25 November], McGinn highlighted the stark signs of disillusionment among the fanbase, including empty seats at the once-impenetrable Ibrox.
He said: “No, I am not after watching some of the games they have played in – There have been games I have watched that I never thought they could break a team down.
“I haven’t seen a lot of the games, but what I could see is all the empty seats and I think the fans at Rangers are loyal, it doesn’t matter what division they were in, so I think they have had enough and are looking for a spark or something different.”
Philippe Clement’s Tenure Under Fire
Manager Philippe Clement finds himself under increasing pressure, with scrutiny intensifying after every disappointing result. Despite taking charge just weeks ago, the Belgian’s tenure is already being questioned amid mounting speculation over his future.
Adding to the turmoil at Ibrox is a significant boardroom shake-up. Patrick Stewart and Malcolm Offord have recently stepped in as Rangers’ chief executive officer and chairman, respectively [Rangers Review].
The pair are seen as central figures in a new regime that appears poised to bring sweeping changes to the club’s leadership.
Clement’s fate now seems a matter of “when rather than if.” With Rangers 11 points behind Celtic, the domestic campaign looks all but over before the halfway mark, and calls for managerial change grow louder with each passing week.
A Time for Transition
The timing may favour a reset. With domestic ambitions in tatters, Rangers have an opportunity to prepare for the future. A managerial replacement would have the remainder of the season to assess the squad and lay the groundwork for a fresh start next year.
On the European front, Rangers remain competitive in the Europa League, with progression to the knockout stages still on the cards.
Yet even that achievement does little to bolster Clement’s case. If his team cannot overcome Dundee United at Ibrox, it is difficult to see how they can challenge elite opposition like Tottenham or Manchester United.
For Rangers fans, the need for “something different” has never been clearer. Whether the board listens remains to be seen.
