“This one is on the manager” – shambles at Pittodrie exposes massive Rangers problem

With the draw at Pittodrie still raw in everyone’s mind, we have to look at just why this happened.

Rangers have been in buoyant form the past few months, matching Celtic a lot of the way. Pittodrie was the first major slip up since Hearts, a lesson we thought we’d learned from.

And the only person being blamed is Steven Gerrard.

Fans, while castigating the hapless back four, equally recognise only one man has kept them in place and failed to hold any of them to account.

Tavernier has cost this club many goals and points. Despite the protestations we receive for our consistent criticism of him over the years, the inescapable truth is the guy is a bad bad defender and can’t be relied on.

Goldson has shown time and time again he has no presence, lacks reading of the game, is no leader, and isn’t good enough to play for a club of this size.

And Helander has had one good match – Porto away. Otherwise he’s exactly the same as Goldson – reasonably composed on the ball but no good at the physical stuff at the back. Also badly lacks pace, just like his partner.

It’s the continued exile of the outstanding Nikola Katic fans just don’t understand, and the moment the first atrocious goal went in the dominance ended – as if the front 6 lost all confidence in the back four and the flow of Rangers’ game ceased.

Rangers just don’t have a reliable defence, and how many times in our ratings have we said ‘Rangers’ best defender’ about Borna Barisic?

Well, we say we don’t have a reliable defence – yes we do, but our manager refuses to select it. Refuses to pick the guys who aren’t in his gang.

Gerrard has done so much good since arriving at Ibrox, but this has been the big blot in his copybook – certain players being immune, certain ones being cast out.

And at Pittodrie it cost Rangers 2 points and joint first place.

This one is on the manager.