Rangers Plumb New Depths in Dismal Ibrox Stalemate
Rangers Football Club sank to what many supporters are calling a new low this season after a woeful goalless draw against Falkirk at Ibrox Stadium. The performance represented a significant setback for manager Danny Rohl, whose side missed a crucial opportunity to close the gap on league leaders Hearts to just seven points.
Instead of capitalising on their game in hand, Rangers produced what can only be described as one of their most disappointing displays in recent memory. The home side never looked remotely likely to secure victory against a Falkirk team that was playing in League One just two years ago.
A Performance That Tested Patience
The most damning aspect of Rangers' display was their complete lack of threat throughout the match. Falkirk goalkeeper Scott Bain remained largely untested, with the home side failing to create meaningful chances despite dominating possession. So poor was Rangers' attacking play that they could have played for several additional hours without scoring.
The Ibrox crowd made their frustrations abundantly clear at full-time, voicing their disapproval after watching their team deliver what many described as a sleep-inducing performance. This reaction came despite recent changes in the club's hierarchy, with Kevin Thelwell and Patrick Stewart having departed.
Underlying Problems Laid Bare
While Rohl inherited a squad that was already 13 points behind Hearts when he took charge, the current nine-point gap with a game in hand speaks more to the Tynecastle club's recent faltering than any significant progress from Rangers. The German manager has been lumbered with what appears to be a sub-standard group of players, a fact that became painfully evident against Falkirk.
Rohl expressed post-match frustration that certain players aren't taking advantage of the fresh start he's offered. However, this assumes these players have another level to reach - something that appears increasingly unlikely given their consistently bang-average performances.
The manager had previously steered Rangers to four consecutive league victories before this match, but that run now appears to have papered over significant cracks in the squad. Their flaws were brutally exposed by a Falkirk side that might have secured all three points had they shown more bravery in attack.
Match Details Tell Grim Story
Rohl made four changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Braga in the Europa League, bringing in Bojan Miovski, Thelo Aasgaard, Oliver Antman and Nedim Bajrami. The latter was making only his second start of the season and operated out wide on the left in Rohl's 4-2-3-1 formation.
Falkirk, who have been impressive since returning to the top flight and sit comfortably in the top six, started confidently. Their pace down the wings through Ethan Williams and Kyrell Wilson caused early problems, while Calvin Miller found clever pockets of space linking with veteran striker Brian Graham.
Rangers appeared one-paced and predictable in possession throughout, with Miovski and Aasgaard particularly disappointing. Miovski has scored just one league goal since joining Rangers, a stark contrast to his prolific form during his Aberdeen days.
The first genuine chance arrived after 20 minutes when Max Aarons floated a cross to the back post, but Antman failed to direct his header on target. Bajrami emerged as the only Rangers player capable of injecting pace into their attack, curling an effort just wide shortly before half-time.
The opening 45 minutes represented some of Rangers' worst domestic football this season, characterised by a complete lack of energy off the ball and no aggression in their pressing game.
Second Half Fails to Spark Improvement
Although Rangers showed slightly better tempo after the break, Rohl clearly remained unimpressed, making a double substitution before the hour mark with Jayden Meghoma and Djeidi Gassama replacing Antman and Aarons.
The home side enjoyed a massive let-off in the 64th minute when Falkirk substitute Alfredo Agyeman closed down Jack Butland's clearance, creating panic in Rangers' defence. Nasser Djiga compounded the situation by hesitating instead of clearing the danger immediately.
Rangers' best opportunity arrived moments later when Nico Raskin found Gassama on the counter-attack. The substitute cut back and unleashed a shot that Bain saved, with the rebound just evading Bajrami. This represented Rangers' closest effort in a match where genuine quality remained extremely rare from both teams.
Reality Bites for Rohl's Rangers
Falkirk manager John McGlynn admitted his disappointment afterwards, stating: 'We're disappointed. We didn't start the game well. Listen, I'm not going to be too critical as we've still taken a point away from Ibrox. It's been 100 years or whatever since Falkirk won here as a club. But I believe we are better than what we showed today. That's the frustrating thing.'
While Falkirk will view this as a missed opportunity, for Rangers it represented a day when reality started to bite for their manager. The squad appears miles away from where it needs to be, leaving Rohl counting down the days until the January transfer window opens.
With a hectic schedule beginning against Dundee United at Tannadice on Wednesday night, Rohl faces the monumental task of keeping this group of players within striking distance of Celtic and Hearts. If he manages this feat until January, it will represent nothing short of managerial alchemy.
