Players threatening to derail GVB as Rangers stumble

It seems now Rangers’ performance spurt in the autumn had little to do with the arrival of Giovanni van Bronckhorst, and everything to do with key players wanting their moves out in January.

Playing in the big shop window of November to mid-January, we saw some stunning displays from the side, with key players finding a burst of form such as Glen Kamara, Joe Aribo, Connor Goldson, and Borna Barisic.

Since the winter break ended, and especially since the transfer window ended, the performances have absolutely crumbled, with clear loss of focus, attitude and concentration, with results reflecting this.

The only five players to shine (we use that loosely) the past month are Ryan Jack, Leon Balogun, James Tavernier, Alfredo Morelos and John Lundstram, at least four of whom are 100% not seeking a move, and only Morelos a little more debatable.

The ones who really were linked with moves away, the ones who have been strongly connected with wanting to head off, and didn’t get that switch in January, all look jaded, flat and disinterested.

The big disappointment this year is Joe Aribo, who is a shadow of his old self, while Glen Kamara is also pretty much going through the motions alongside Goldson and Barisic. McGregor is finished and Davis isn’t far behind him.

So once again a Rangers side performs through November and December, only to lose all impetus in January onwards.

Are we wrong? Are these post new year blues down to something else besides a host of players wanting a move out and not getting it?

Because we all bought into Gio having an amazing effect when he arrived, and of course ‘new manager syndrome’ is a thing, but it hasn’t lasted, and it’s fallen flat just like it has the last 3 seasons too.

While Gerrard clearly was jaded and had had his time at Ibrox, the players are no more playing now for Gio than they were for the ex-boss.

And it’s disheartening to see such a malaise on the pitch at a time when we need focus.

It’s not about performances, it’s about attitude. We can handle a draw if the team did everything – just like at Dundee Utd, there WAS a performance, and there was no lack of attitude, albeit fans didn’t really use the attitude as a defence of the team despite the cliché of doing so.

But that kind of dig has mostly been awol since new year, bar Europe.

If Gio can’t figure out how to get these players to give him everything, every match, his stay at the club is under threat.

And that’s down to the players, nothing else.