Breaking point has been the catchphrase attached to so many issues, and relationships both private and public, in a murky four months behind the scenes at Ibrox.
From the moment Walter Smith dropped the bomb in mid-October highlighting the exact extent of the control the club’s bankers were exerting, he has been pushed many times, by some individuals anyway, to that fraught position.
Ironically, in many ways, that has only strengthened his resolve to steer Rangers clear of danger. He remains a man on a mission, the Red Adair of Rangers as he fights the many fires sprouting up around the club.
Likewise, many of the club’s supporters now appear to have wakened up to the seriousness of the champions’ financial situation, prompted again by another stark, public warning from Smith last midweek that the summer, regardless of the outcome of this season’s title race and its bumper Champions League cheque, would not see a miraculous recovery.
It is now crystal clear – only a change of ownership will be Rangers’ salvation, and the longer that is delayed, the more swingeing the cuts will become. So the fans now, it seems, have also reached that old place that is so hard to return from – breaking point.
This will be reflected in sustained protests, starting this weekend, against the Lloyds Banking Group, who they feel are treating Rangers differently to other clubs in Scotland, and other businesses.
Of course, the one area Rangers have never quite hit breaking point is on the pitch. Has that actually lessened the furore from the rank and file?
Probably so, as you could only imagine the ire had they been the team in Glasgow 10 points behind in the title race whilst operating without any financial muscle, without any clear sign of a new dawn and staring into a very dark abyss.
However, as they stumbled through a pretty dire goal-less cup-tie against St Mirren at the weekend, just days after seeing off St Johnstone to reach the Co-operative Insurance Cup Final, Rangers wore the look of a team just about running on empty.
And that must be a major concern as the season heads into the business end.
How much more can this limited number of players actually give? For how long can they remain unbeaten domestically, a run that now stretches back some 15 games to the end of November when they fell at Aberdeen?
That they are where they are is, being honest, quite remarkable as Rangers have not only operated with small numbers from the outset after squad reduction over the summer, they have had to contend with key injuries to key personnel.
Most big clubs challenging for honours have to deal with this hindrance. But, that said, most big clubs have squads of 20 plus senior men.
Rangers are down to the bare bones and are being pulled through by resilience, doggedness, call it what you will, but for how long?
Starting against Motherwell in 48 hours’ time, they will embark on five games in 19 days that will define the season. After Fir Park they face Hibs on Sunday at Ibrox, then a home cup replay against the Paisley men after Saturday’s stalemate, St Johnstone away and then the third Old Firm game of the season when they host Celtic on February 28.
They will have to up the levels of their recent performances to come through this period unscathed, although Smith will at least have the comfort of having some big hitters back in the ranks.
Madjid Bougherra returned after over a month away, and showed exactly how crucial he is to the cause with an assured display at the back. He was also the biggest creative force going forward, which highlights how poor Rangers were middle to front.
Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller also re-appeared as a double act after their respective injury woes, and will need to strike up again quickly the form of the devastating December that allowed Rangers to accelerate into this position.
Smith had hoped to integrate a couple of new faces, loan signings, into his group before the window shut just to give them an extra impetus.
The word is funds were pledged, then the goal-posts were moved, leaving the manager once again helpless at the last minute after the sale of Pedro Mendes, a move he took to generate cash that was then not forthcoming.
These issues, and various others not reaching the public domain, remain at the centre of Smith’s frustrations, but he has to retain focus as his team needs him more than ever.
NEED TO KNOW
By Darrell King
Was it a good game?
Pretty dire, if truth be told. St Mirren emerged with all the credit after another battling display. The teams now replay at Ibrox on February 17 for a place in the last eight, meet in the SPL on March 6, and then the Co-operative Insurance League Cup Final a fortnight later at Hampden. Let’s hope for better fare…
Rangers best player?
Madjid Bougherra was the only player to show any real urgency and also popped up with a crucial goal-line clearance. Lack of creativity is glaring when Steven Davis dips below recent standards.
Saints top man?
Gus MacPherson didn’t have a failure in his ranks. The three at the back system worked perfectly, and John Potter was outstanding.
What about the ref?
Iain Brines remains once of those whistlers sees things completely differently to the vast majority of people in the stadium.
Who’s up next?
Gers at Well on Wednesday in SPL; the Buddies are at home to St Johnstone.
ONE BY ONE
By Thomas Jordan
McGREGOR Decent
Required Madjid Bougherra to clear one off his line after Michael Higdon lobbed the ball over him but made some decent stops.
BROADFOOT Okay
His delivery could have been better at times but he defended well enough.
BOUGHERRA Solid
Back in the first-team for the first time since returning from the African Cup of Nations and looked as though he had never been away.
WILSON Impressive
Interesting to see if he keeps his place this week as he performed well at the heart of the defence.
SMITH Careless
Gave possession away cheaply on more than one occasion in what was a rare starting slot for him.
DAVIS Quiet
More often than not Rangers best player but it just didn’t happen for the midfielder this time.
McCULLOCH Battled
Put himself about and worked hard in what was nothing other than a battle in the middle of the park.
THOMSON Hard working
Grafted but didn’t enjoy as much possession as he would have liked.
WHITTAKER Poor
Didn’t impose himself on the game. Doesn’t appear to be the answer to Rangers left-midfield problem.
LAFFERTY Ineffective
Will probably find himself warming the bench as he once again failed to score.
NAISMITH Missing
Just wasn’t at the races but it will take him a few more appearances before he will be fully up to speed after missing so long through injury.
BOYD Boost
SPL’s leading goalscorer climbed off the bench but was unable to find a winning goal for his side.
MILLER Fit-again
Came on at the same time at Boyd, however, he didn’t have any joy.
