Rangers shock revealed as Ibrox men destroy Red Star

If there was one overarching reaction to Thursday night’s demolition of Red Star at Ibrox, it was quite simply thus:

‘Why can’t they do this in the league?’

Why can’t a team who have taken apart Borussia, Prague and now Red Star overcome Ross Blooming County and Motherwell for chief’s sake?

The answer is simple – the players are no longer interested in success in the league, and that motivation died a long time ago.

At least, not to the extent they can get themselves up for a huge UEL match in front of a global audience in the world’s second-biggest club football contest.

It’s quite simply easier to be up for a match v Red Star than it is v Motherwell, simple fact.

We see every European midweek the real Rangers, and unfortunately, at the weekend and occasional midweel domestic fixtures see the one that just doesn’t care half as much about a rainy afternoon in the north of Scotland.

And you can see their point, right?

Allan McGregor, gaffe-ridden and shambolic in the league, on Thursday night produced a classic Greegsy masterclass of goalkeeping, a titanic display.

One he just doesn’t have the energy to produce at McDiarmid.

Frankly, who would?

Who would give St Johnstone the same energy they give Borussia?

It’s simple maths really.

Is it right?

Of course it isn’t right, but it’s human.

When you’ve won 55 and usurped Celtic from their throne, what’s left?

Defend the unglamorous SPL title?

Even knowing 56 will give the CL group stage isn’t enough to gee these players up for domestic football – not in the way they give their all for Europe.

There is a patent work difference, a graft difference, and an energy difference.

Rangers’ every player put their guts into Red Star, and showed this club is a real contender for this tournament, but they just don’t do that on the domestic front.

Frustrating? Yes. Infuriating? Yes.

Understandable, slightly.

But if we win UEL and get UCL that way, few will complain, that’s the truth.