Different coach but same Rangers? – Smith questions mentality & habits

Three banners emblazoned across a section of the Ibrox support made their feelings clear on an afternoon that stretched Rangers’ already depressing start to the season.

There are no more hiding places on buses. No hiding places for managers. Menace your failures like you do.

By the time the whistle was blowing, the players had the full force of a furious fanbase without Russell Martin to berate.

The Govan side’s quest for a home league win this season is extended by the 2-2 draw with Dundee United. In the Premiership, they have only managed one victory out of eight.

Steven Smith’s first game in interim charge was a success, but he was left complaining about repeated issues.

“I’ll be asking, “Did I enjoy today?” Is that what? Smith told BBC Scotland, “I won’t because I know what the expectations are.”

They were watching a much-improved display from Rangers’ ultras while their ultras were delivering their message to the players.

They scored 23 shots in the first half of a team that was relentlessly attacking play. Thelo Aasgaard’s stunning goal was the opening goal from one of those.

However, a defensive choice by United boss Jim Goodwin and a visitors’ more aggressive approach appeared to stoke a vulnerable home side.

The fragility Rangers have displayed throughout the campaign has come back to prominence when Kristijan Trapanovski fired in low from the distance.

One of Smith’s men’s six late goals came from Tavernier’s late equalizer. In the second half, they only had eight touches in the United box, compared to 30 in the first.

After the break, they faced four shots without getting a single shot on target. Their possession and duo success both significantly decreased.

Former full-back Smith continued, “I think I understand the causes of the change. “Dundee United started winning second balls and gaining territory,” according to the manager.

That was disappointing because it “changed the game,” and we didn’t change. I’ll give them a little credit for getting an equalizer because we did that.

However, we must remember that in those situations when things get tough, you must have killed the game or match the opposition’s level of aggression to start over.

Rangers’ mentality has been questioned before, and this is no exception. Fans and pundits have been frequently critical of it for almost ten years.

Martin, who was fired a fortnight ago, also contributed. During his interim spell last term, Barry Ferguson did the same.

Billy Dodds, a former Rangers striker who was a member of Ferguson’s backroom team, stated to BBC Scotland earlier this week that “there is no real standout leader, even though there is a captain and vice-captain, there is a leadership group.”

The boys must get together, but they can only accomplish so much, I believe. The club’s hierarchy must resolve the managerial dispute and install a powerful leader.

Although Kevin Muscat is expected to be that person, Smith would not comment on the potential arrival or fate of the Shanghai Port boss.

Whatever the next permanent head coach’s position, fixing Rangers’ vulnerability poses a significant challenge.