Russell Martin and his coaching staff called an emergency meeting with the Ibrox dressing room today following last night’s humiliating 6-0 away defeat to Club Brugge.
The Belgians ran riot against ten-man Rangers, winning 9-1 on aggregate across the two legs of their UEFA Champions League playoff tie.
Upon returning from the trip, the team attended their usual post-match recovery session at the Rangers Training Centre, which was completed as normal. However, they were then summoned by the head coach for a meeting, something that had not been planned or pre-arranged.
It is unclear exactly what was discussed, but reports suggest some home truths were exchanged between players and management ahead of Sunday’s crucial first Old Firm clash of the season against Celtic at Ibrox.
Tensions had been simmering for some time. Following a very public fallout between Martin and Hamza Igamane, where the Moroccan refused to come on as a substitute against St Mirren in Paisley, ultimately leading to his move to French Ligue 1 side Lille, issues within the squad clearly needed addressing.
Both Oscar Cortes and Nedim Bajrami had posted cryptic social media messages hinting at frustration over their role in the squad last weekend, while rumours continue to circulate about a rift between Martin and senior Ibrox players James Tavernier and Nicolas Raskin.
New signings such as Max Aarons, sent off last night, and Joe Rothwell look well of the pace, unprepared and surprised by the Scottish game and the standards and expectations of the club.
Words needed to be had, it is the last throw of the dice for a manager on the verge of becoming the quickest dismissal in Rangers history after overseeing the poorest ever start of a permanent Ibrox boss.
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Celtic on Sunday is beyond his final chance, win and receive some credit and respite ahead of the international break, draw and the grumbles and doubts will continue to grow with toxicity through the roof, lose and it will go nuclear and there will be nowhere to hide, for the management team, or the players who look unwilling or unable to follow the instructions from above.
Rangers could be boosted on Sunday by the arrival of former Aberdeen forward Bojan Miovski, who looks set to come into the team after completion of his £2.6m move from Girona.
At least one other transfer inwards is expected before Sunday, with Rangers aiming for at least three more before the deadline on Monday. But that won’t cut it for fans, there needs to be a late flurry of business to meand the broken squad assembled at Ibrox, no more loans, no more Championship rejects, the new board must put their money where their mouths are, sign quality and fix this broken start to the season before it goes beyond the point of return.