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Rangers' turmoil deepens as fans revolt and Europa League woes persist
Five months after a US-led consortium pledged to revive Rangers with a £20 million investment and bold promises of a "new beginning," the Glasgow club is mired in crisis-on the pitch, in the stands, and behind the scenes. What was billed as a fresh era under Andrew Cavenagh's leadership has spiraled into managerial chaos, fan protests, and a dismal European campaign, leaving supporters more disillusioned than ever.
The collapse of a 'new era'
When the American consortium took control in late May, optimism was high. Merchandise emblazoned with Trumpian slogans like "Make Rangers Great Again" flooded the stands, and plans for rapid reinvestment were unveiled. Yet by November, those banners have been replaced with protests, and the club's ambitions lie in tatters.
The sacking of manager Russell Martin after just 123 days-reportedly smuggled out of Ibrox in a car to avoid backlash-marked the first low. His replacement, Danny Rohl, only took the job after initially withdrawing, following a farcical hiring process that saw candidates enter and exit like a "managerial Hokey Cokey," as one observer put it. Rohl has since won two of his five matches, offering faint glimmers of progress amid the wreckage.
European embarrassment sets grim record
Rangers' 2-0 Europa League defeat to Roma on Thursday extended their losing streak in Europe to seven consecutive matches, a new club record. The result was less a competitive fixture than a damning indictment of the team's regression. Roma, playing largely in second gear, exposed Rangers' defensive frailties with ease: Matias Soule headed in unmarked after 13 minutes, while Lorenzo Pellegrini sealed the win with a clinical finish, assisted by Artem Dovbyk as Rangers' backline watched helplessly.
Rohl, already more popular than his predecessor, attempted tactical reshuffles-five substitutions and multiple system changes-but the response was tepid. "Uninspiring," former striker Steven Thompson told Sportsound. "They huffed and puffed, but it wasn't good enough. You can see Rohl's trying, but the gap to where fans want them is enormous."
"Supplies [of patience] have run out. This isn't a hobby-it's our lives."
Banner unfurled by Rangers supporters during the Roma match
Transfer gambles backfire as squad overhaul stalls
The summer transfer window was supposed to narrow the gap to rivals Celtic. Instead, it's become a symbol of misjudgment. Over £30 million was spent on recruits like Youssef Chermiti (£8m from Everton), who had gone 28 months without a goal before arriving; he's managed just one in 12 appearances. Oliver Antman, Oscar Cortes, Thelo Aasgaard, Emmanuel Fernandez, and Djeidi Gassama also arrived for hefty fees, yet their impact has been negligible.
Meanwhile, key departures-Hamza Igamane (sold for over £10m), Cyriel Dessers (29 goals last season), and Vaclav Cerny (19 goals)-have left gaping holes. "Have Rangers signed anyone better than who they've let go?" asked club legend Ally McCoist on TNT Sports. "This might take three transfer windows to fix. It's a big job."
Board under siege
Fan fury has turned on CEO Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell, who were heckled in hotel lobbies and airports. Protest banners targeting them reappeared during the Roma match, with chants of dissent drowning out any semblance of support. Thelwell and Stewart orchestrated Martin's dismissal, but the move has only intensified scrutiny on their own roles. As one pundit noted, "They removed the manager, but the problems run far deeper."
Domestic glimmers amid the gloom
Rohl insists the "tanker can be turned." There are flickers of hope: Rangers held Celtic to extra time in the League Cup semi-final (despite playing most of it with 10 men) and battled to a late win at Easter Road. They sit five points behind Celtic in the Premiership-hardly insurmountable, but a distant second to Hearts' surprising title charge.
Yet the January transfer window looms as a potential reckoning. "Rangers are crying out for help," said former defender Alan Hutton, urging reinforcements. But with fans demanding sales as much as signings, and the club's recruitment under fire, any fixes will be fraught.
'Better days seem further away'
In May, Cavenagh spoke of Rangers' "impatience" for success. Five months later, that impatience has curdled into despair. The Europa League campaign is a write-off, the squad remains unbalanced, and the board's credibility is evaporating. As one supporter's banner put it: "This is not a hobby. This is our lives."
The new dawn has given way to a long, dark night-and for Rangers, the hardest tests may still lie ahead.
