Barry Ferguson has revealed the frustration inside the Rangers dressing room after Friday's 1-1 draw at Tannadice, insisting the players must show more killer instinct.
Frustration at Tannadice
Ferguson, a legendary Rangers captain, said the F word that sprang to mind was frustration, seeing it etched on the face of manager Derek McInnes as his side dropped two points in the opening league game against Dundee United.
After Thelo Aasgaard smashed home an equaliser early in the second half, Ferguson expected Rangers to kick on and score more goals. Instead, they allowed the tempo to drop and settled for a share of the points.
Questions over mentality
This has led to questions about the mentality of some players, who had the chance to do something about it on the pitch. Ferguson said when the opposition is on the back foot, you have to go for the throat and do serious damage.
"These players have to understand the responsibilities which come with pulling on that shirt and realise that settling for second best will simply not be tolerated," he wrote.
Honest conversations ahead
Ferguson believes the manager will have had honest conversations with the players, both at half time and after the match, and will have had them back in at Auchenhowie over the weekend to show where they went wrong.
That is the biggest positive Rangers can take from a disappointing season opener, with 37 league games still to go.
Need for new signings
Ferguson said it was obvious why McInnes is crying out for creative players and difference makers in the final third, needing at least a couple of new arrivals capable of lighting things up in attacking areas.
He noted that bringing in such talent takes time, as there will be competition from other clubs and selling clubs may need replacements first. But he urged the recruitment department to see the urgency.
Upcoming fixtures
With two big games in the next six days, McInnes will be itching to build momentum. On Thursday, Rangers face Jagiellonia Białystok in the first leg of a Europa League qualifier in Poland, followed by a home clash with Hibs on Sunday.
Ferguson said a win on the road and three points at Ibrox would go a long way to making everyone feel better. He acknowledged supporters' frustration after four years without a win in the opening league game, but insisted no one will be more frustrated than McInnes himself.
