John Souter admits Rangers fans are right to question the mentality of his players after surrendering a commanding two-goal lead against Celtic, but asked for more time before making a decision.
Sawtal appeals to fans for support after Old Firm draw
Striker Youssef Cermiti’s superb overhead kick put the Ibrox home side ahead after eight minutes, and he expertly added a second goal after 26 minutes as Danny Rolle’s side dominated their Old Firm rivals.
But in a surprise second-half comeback, Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland saved a last-gasp spot-kick and a second shot from the rebound before left-back Kieran Tierney and substitute Reo Hatate scored, leaving the home supporters disappointed with a disappointing 2-2 draw.
With nine games remaining, Rangers are six points behind leaders Hearts in the William Hill Premiership and two points behind Celtic, who play away to Aberdeen on Wednesday night.
Rangers have drawn four of their last six league games, taking their total to 12 this season, and when a fan asked if this Rangers group were mentally challenged going into games with bottles, the Scotland defender said:
“All I can say is that we need to be judged at the end of the season because there are still nine games left. If I were a fan watching now, I would ask the same question, of course.”
“But for me, we really have to keep a clean sheet in the next nine games. We have to get up and win and we can’t afford to fail.”
“Obviously Hearts have a six-point lead so it’s up to them and we have to hope they drop points and we have to win every game.
“But I’d like to hear it at the end of the season and make a decision then.”
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Souter insisted Rangers’ impressive first-half performance could be a benchmark for the rest of the season, and admitted it would have to be the whole match, although Celtic visit Ibrox again next Sunday for the Scottish Cup quarter-final.
He said: “Personally, I think that’s when we’re at our physical best.
“The crowd was excited and we played fast, attacking football in the opposition half, which was the same at home against Hearts (4-2 win).
“But we have to do it the whole game. There’s no point in doing it for 45-50 minutes.”
“We have to continue to do that throughout the game and there will certainly be times when we can’t do that throughout the game.
“Celtic are a good team. When they are playing there will be moments when they have possession and the important thing then is that we have a little more experience and we are fit and it is difficult to play.”
Rangers’ failure is fast becoming the new Dessers and he’s not even a striker
Rangers could sign new Cyriel Desser at Ibrox.
Rangers are in a battle for a striker, with two players set to leave the club
Danilo is expected to leave Rangers this summer, with the Brazilian openly saying he wants to make his loan move to NEC Nijmegen permanent, while young striker Chris Condie is set to join Brighton.
The Guards will be in the market for the coveted No. 9, as he will compete with Chelmity and the relatively untested Ryan Naderi.
And Football FanCast understands they are now turning their attention to the EFL Championship’s top scorer, Swansea City’s Jan Vipotnik.
Sunderland are heavily linked with Vipotnik and Nottingham Forest have also expressed an interest in the Swans star, but Rangers have the upper hand as they are favored to be in the race for the top flight in Europe.
The Slovenian international has scored 16 goals in just 25 starts in England’s second division this season and is expected to face a battle to keep Swansea in the game this summer as they sit 11 points adrift of the play-off places.
