Rangers’ shocking 2-0 defeat to St Mirren has sent shockwaves through their squad, fanbase, and the Scottish Premiership title race. Cyriel Dessers’ post-match comments laid bare the frustration within the dressing room, as the Nigerian striker admitted the team has been forced to apologise to supporters far too often this season. His remarks about the squad’s quality, tactics, and mentality point to deep-seated issues that Rangers must urgently address if they are to have any hope of challenging Celtic for the title.
With the opportunity to close the gap at the top of the table, Rangers instead produced a tepid, uninspired performance that allowed St Mirren to take a deserved victory. The result has piled pressure on Philippe Clement and his players, who now face a defining period in their season. If they fail to respond strongly, this loss could mark the beginning of the end for their title hopes.
Rangers’ Tactical Failures and Passive Approach
One of the most alarming takeaways from Dessers’ comments was his admission that Rangers were waiting for St Mirren to tire in the second half before trying to break them down. This passive approach is completely at odds with what is expected from a team chasing a league title. A club of Rangers’ stature should be setting the tempo from the start, especially in home matches, but instead, they allowed their opponents to gain confidence and take control of the game.
St Mirren, to their credit, came into the match with a clear game plan and executed it to perfection. They frustrated Rangers, limited their attacking opportunities, and took their chances clinically when they came. However, the fact that Rangers struggled so badly to create meaningful opportunities is a major red flag. If they cannot break down a disciplined but limited St Mirren side, what does that say about their ability to overcome stronger opposition?
This slow-starting pattern has become a worrying feature of Philippe Clement’s Rangers side. Too often, they have lacked urgency and struggled to impose themselves early in games. A mentality of simply waiting for the opposition to tire is neither sustainable nor befitting of a club with ambitions of winning trophies. The best teams in football take control from the opening whistle, suffocate the opposition, and dictate the game on their terms. Rangers, by contrast, look hesitant and reactive rather than proactive.
Mentality Concerns and Dressing Room Tension
Beyond the tactical failings, there are also significant questions about the mentality of this Rangers squad. Dessers’ statement that the team has had to apologise to the fans “a few times in the last weeks, months” suggests a recurring issue of underperformance and inconsistency. If players are repeatedly having to explain away poor results, it indicates that the necessary lessons are not being learned.
Furthermore, his admission that “hard words” were exchanged in the dressing room suggests that frustration is boiling over within the squad. Dressing room confrontations can sometimes spark a positive reaction, but they can also expose deeper fractures if the issues at hand are not properly addressed.
Winning teams have a certain resilience and mental toughness that allows them to overcome setbacks quickly and decisively. Right now, Rangers do not seem to have that. Instead, they appear fragile, struggling to bounce back from adversity and lacking the belief to fight through difficult situations.
The concern for Rangers fans will be whether this squad has the characters needed to turn things around. When players start openly questioning tactics and mentality in post-match interviews, it can be a sign of deeper problems behind the scenes. If Clement cannot restore confidence and unity quickly, this season could unravel before their eyes.
Celtic’s Growing Advantage in the Title Race
While Rangers are in turmoil, Celtic have been handed a massive boost in their pursuit of the Scottish Premiership title. Brendan Rodgers’ side now has the opportunity to extend their lead at the top, putting even more pressure on a struggling Rangers team.
Celtic have had their own ups and downs this season, but crucially, they have shown an ability to grind out results when needed. They have a squad with a proven winning mentality, and Rodgers has been able to get the best out of his players in key moments. If Rangers continue to drop points against teams like St Mirren, they will soon find themselves too far behind to mount a serious challenge.
Another key advantage for Celtic is their squad depth. While Rangers appear to be struggling to find reliable match-winners, Celtic have multiple players who can step up in big moments. Whether it’s Adam Idah delivering goals, Paulo Bernardo controlling midfield, or Alex Valle stepping in when needed, Rodgers has options at his disposal. That level of depth and flexibility could prove decisive as the title race enters its most crucial stages.
What Next for Rangers?
Philippe Clement now faces the biggest test of his managerial tenure at Rangers. He must quickly find a way to reinvigorate his squad and restore confidence, or risk watching their season collapse.
One of the key areas that needs addressing is their tactical approach. The idea of waiting for teams to tire before attacking simply isn’t working, and it raises serious doubts about Rangers’ ability to impose themselves in high-pressure matches. Clement needs to develop a more aggressive, front-footed style of play that allows Rangers to take control of games rather than reacting to the opposition.
There is also a pressing need for leaders to emerge within the squad. Right now, Rangers appear rudderless, with no clear figures driving the team forward when things get tough. Dessers’ comments suggest a squad struggling for direction and accountability. If they are to salvage their season, players must step up and take responsibility rather than waiting for someone else to solve the problems.
Additionally, Rangers’ upcoming fixtures will be crucial. With games coming thick and fast, they have no time to dwell on this defeat. However, simply moving on without addressing the underlying issues will only lead to more disappointing results. Clement and his squad must treat the St Mirren loss as a wake-up call and respond with immediate improvements.
The next few matches will likely determine whether Rangers can recover and keep their title hopes alive, or if this defeat is the start of a downward spiral. A strong response is needed, but right now, there are more questions than answers.
Final Thoughts: A Defining Moment in the Season
This defeat to St Mirren has laid bare Rangers’ problems for all to see. Tactical weaknesses, a fragile mentality, and a lack of attacking quality have all been exposed, and unless drastic improvements are made, their title challenge could soon be over.
Meanwhile, Celtic fans will be watching with confidence, knowing that every Rangers stumble brings them one step closer to another league title. Brendan Rodgers has his team in a strong position, and with Rangers struggling to keep pace, the momentum is firmly in Celtic’s favour.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Rangers have the character to bounce back, or if their season is set to unravel completely. But one thing is clear—if they continue on their current trajectory, they will have nobody to blame but themselves.
Do you think Rangers can recover from this, or is their title race already over?