DROPPING seven points in five cinch Premiership games and falling nine behind Celtic in the table in November would normally result in a Rangers manager being summoned to the Ibrox board room, thanked for his efforts and handed his P45.

But these are not normal times for the Glasgow club and it remains unclear if Giovanni van Bronckhorst will pay the ultimate price for his side’s catastrophic run of form or if he will be given a stay of execution.

The Dutchman, who took Rangers to within a couple of penalty kicks of only the second European trophy in their 150 year existence back in May, might be given time because of his past achievements and the issues he has been wrestling with in recent months.

When Leon King was stretchered off in the second-half of the 1-1 draw with St Mirren at the SMiSA Stadium on Saturday he joined an extensive injury list; Antonio Colak, Ben Davies, Connor Goldson, Ianis Hagi, Filip Helander, Tom Lawrence, Kemar Roofe, Fashion Sakala, John Souttar and Ridvan Yilmaz were already sidelined.

Here are five things we learned from Rangers’ latest disappointment. 

 

THEY THINK IT’S ALL OVER

The 2-1 defeat that Rangers suffered at the hands of St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park eight days ago dealt a huge blow to their chances of winning the Premiership.

The result against St Mirren at the SMiSA Stadium on Saturday finally ended their slim hopes of landing the Scottish title.

Van Bronckhorst’s side lacked creativity up front, failed to gain a foothold in midfield and were cut open far too easily at the back.

They were lucky the close-range Jonah Ayunga strike that put Stephen Robinson’s team ahead was the only goal they conceded and fortunate they won a penalty which James Tavernier converted with six minutes remaining.

The Rangers manager has not had his problems to seek. But he was still able to field James Tavernier, Borna Barisic, John Lundstram, Glen Kamara, Ryan Kent, Scott Arfield, Ryan Jack and Alfredo Morelos. He had enough experience and talent available to him to triumph.

Even if he gets a few bodies back when club football resumes after the World Cup next month – if, that is, he is still in a job - it looks increasingly unlikely he will be able to turn things around and survive. 

 

VAR SPOT ON

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system has won few admirers in Scottish football since it was introduced at the end of October.

Fans, players and managers have been incensed and perplexed by many of the decisions which have been made following the intervention of officials in Clydesdale House. The length of time it has taken to arrive at rulings has also been a source of considerable frustration.

There were more moans and groans at grounds around the country at the weekend. The SFA should use the World Cup break to iron out the glitches which they have encountered in recent weeks. Improvements must be made if escalating unrest on and off the pitch is to be quelled.

Yet, the St Mirren game against Rangers at the weekend showed VAR at its very best. Referee Kevin Clancy initially booked Kent for diving after the Rangers winger went to ground in the St Mirren area following a challenge by opposition defender Marcus Fraser late on.

But after being advised to look again at the incident and watching a replay on the pitchside monitor, Clancy awarded a spot kick which James Tavernier buried.

The home support was incensed. Even the away fans gave the match official pelters for yellow carding their player. But it was the correct call. Fraser admitted afterwards that he had made contact with Kent and had no complaints.

VAR can be positive if used correctly.

 

KID KING

Rangers centre half King was castigated by supporters for failing to clear the ball out of his six yard box before Ayunga put St Mirren ahead and he certainly should have reacted far quicker.

But the boy is just 18. It is inevitable he is going to make mistakes as he finds his feet in the senior game. He has only been given an extended run in the first team because his manager has no other options. Too much has been demanded of him.

King’s detractors should remember how young and inexperienced he is and cut him some slack. 

 

FORTRESS SMISA

The three stand retention policy that St Mirren introduced this season made, despite the outrage expressed by many Celtic and Rangers fans, sense on many levels.

The directors of the Paisley club took action after receiving feedback from supporters who were unhappy about the Glasgow clubs filling two sides of the SMiSA Stadium when they came to visit.

They decided to limit away fans to the North Stand in an attempt to encourage more of their own followers to attend their games and turn their ground into a fortress.

There were a fair few empty seats in the South Family Stand on Saturday afternoon – which was not a good look for a game that was broadcast live by Sky Sports.

However, the East Stand was packed and the West Stand was fairly full. It by no means felt, as it invariably did in the past, like a home match for the Ibrox club. Job done.

It is no coincidence Robinson’s team have won five, drawn three and lost just one of the Premiership games they have played on their own turf.

"I think it does help," said St Mirren defender Fraser. “It means more of our fans come to the games. It's louder when we're on the ball and on the attack. The belief we got from the fans was incredible.”

 

FAN LOCKOUT

The Rangers supporters who were denied entry to the stadium on Saturday despite having valid tickets were probably grateful at the end of the 90 minutes. But St Mirren, who have launched an investigation and promised a full refund, must identify what happened and make sure it does not happen again.   

 

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