There was no escaping the frustration inside Ibrox on Saturday afternoon as Rangers let another lead slip, drawing 2-2 with Dundee United in a match that laid bare all of the problems currently plaguing this team, fragile mentality, weak recruitment, and a growing disconnect between the stands and the boardroom.
Interim head coach Stevie Smith took charge for the first time, and for 45 minutes it looked like the players were finally responding. Rangers played with tempo, pressing high, moving the ball with conviction, and showing glimpses of what this squad should be capable of. Thelo Aasgaard’s thunderous first-half strike capped off what was arguably Rangers’ best spell of football all season.
The first 10 minutes after the restart carried the same energy, but then, Dundee United adjusted.
Jim Goodwin’s men clearly got the message at half-time to be more physical, and from that point on, the game completely changed. Rangers were rattled by the increase in aggression, and when Kristijan Trapanovski levelled for the visitors, the belief seemed to drain from the home side. Within ten minutes, Craig Sibbald had United in front, and Ibrox descended into a familiar sense of disbelief.
To their credit, captain James Tavernier rescued a late equaliser, but it did little to mask the deeper issue: this Rangers side still cannot sustain their level for 90 minutes. Once again, a promising performance fell apart under pressure.
🧬 Mentality Meltdown
Stevie Smith didn’t shy away from it post-match. He admitted the team reverted to “default mode” when the game turned, unable to recover once momentum shifted. It’s a damning pattern — the heads go down, the intensity drops, and the opposition senses weakness.
This isn’t about tactics alone; it’s mentality. Whoever the new manager is, their biggest challenge will be fixing the mindset of a squad that too often folds when faced with adversity.
💥 Fans Deliver a Fierce Message
The Union Bears made their feelings known with a stinging message aimed squarely at the players:
No More Buses To Hide On, No More Managers To Hide Behind, Face Your Failures Like Men.
If that wasn’t clear enough, another banner hung from the Govan Rear throughout the second half read:
Stewart, Thelwell – Pack Your Bags & Go Before We Pack Them For You.
It summed up the mood perfectly. The fans are not just angry at the players; there’s a growing fury directed at the hierarchy, especially Patrick Stewart, whose leadership has been questioned repeatedly, and Sporting Director, Kevin Thelwell, whose transfer record is looking increasingly indefensible.
💸 Questions Over Recruitment
Too many of this summer’s arrivals have failed to impose themselves, with several expensive signings either glued to the bench or contributing little when called upon. There’s a lack of steel, players who can handle the pressure of Ibrox. The money spent has not translated into leadership or consistency, and the squad’s imbalance is glaring.
⚠️ The Bigger Picture
A draw at home to Dundee United simply isn’t good enough, not for Rangers, not for this support. Yes, there were flashes of quality, but supporters are done with 45-minute performances and false dawns.
Until Rangers can deliver a full 90 minutes of relentless football, and string together the wins needed to climb the table, this campaign will remain stuck in a loop of frustration.
The message from the stands was loud and clear: the excuses have run out. This team needs more than a new manager. It needs a reset of mentality, of recruitment, and of leadership at every level of the club.
Final score: Rangers 2–2 Dundee UnitedGoals: Aasgaard (25’), Tavernier (87’) | Trapanovski (66’), Sibbald (75’)
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