The most infuriating element of further dropped points for Rangers supporters was the predictability of it all.

From the pre-match injuries to the first-half’s passivity. The post-match reasonings to the uninventive and uninspiring attempt to break the St Mirren block. Groundhog Day in Paisley was the same as Groundhog Day in Perth and so too are the ramifications. The prospect of league success in May feels unachievable and it’s not even December.

This is why so much animosity fills the Ibrox air. It’s not just the results, the perceived sleepwalking into an unsuccessful season or the sheer lack of entertainment on display, but the lack of belief that Giovanni van Bronckhorst is the man to turn things around. Although injuries have played a part there is nothing for the Dutchman to hold onto as football breaks for the World Cup. The underlying numbers don’t show results have been unkind. Saturday's draw didn’t suggest any corner was close to being turned.

The manager wheeled out the same excuses from weeks gone by after the match. Complains at defending and laments at a lack of attacking guile. The appetite for diplomacy when you’re nine points behind after 15 games is limited, however.

When asked about potential discussions with the board regarding his role, van Bronckhorst said: “We are going to sit down that's for sure and speak about the last couple of months and which way to go forward.

“I have no fear. I never have fear. I will just see what comes.”

In the last month, seven points have been dropped against Livingston, St Mirren and St Johnstone. During those three games, van Bronckhrost’s side haven’t been in the lead once. If not for Ryan Kent’s individualism to rescue a point on two separate occasions the points record would read zero. Aside from the winger making something happen, much like in midweek against Hearts, there have been no answers to beating the low block. Which is of course the bread-and-butter requirement for league success.

It’s no coincidence that as Antonio Colak’s goals have dried up, he had 10 in his first nine league games and then netted just once in five, results have followed. The forward was scoring at double the rate of expectation earlier this season, with those first 10 goals coming from 4.39xG. Without his superior finishing ability, chance creation has been exposed for what it is – not sufficient to return the title.

Kent was one relatively bright spark in a team who’ve lost their glow yesterday. Van Bronckhorst said his players needed a rest on Friday and they quickly supported that statement with another poor performance. 

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Allan McGregor understood the need for urgency. Sensing the importance of a first goal he could be seen almost chasing James Sands up the pitch with the ball as possession went sideways early on, berating his teammate to break forward. After the team initially managed to make some inroads on the left in possession it was back to sidewards, U-shaped passing. Stephen Robinson’s defensively disciplined side were quite content to shuttle this way and that, keeping Trevor Carson protected.

The second half started with Alfredo Morelos being shown a yellow for the softest of soft fouls. It was a tone-setter for what would follow. The visitors conceded a long throw and St Mirren reacted quickest to the initial delivery and subsequent chance. There was a palpable vulnerability to the Rangers defence which had threatened to show before the interval. It felt only a matter of time before one of the set pieces against broke the deadlock.

From the moment they went behind a panic came over the Rangers team. It felt like a falling apart to all eyes watching, a TV show re-run in which the ending is glaringly obvious from the start.

Morelos, a shadow of the striker he has been, was the first player to draw a visible, angry reaction from his manager on the touchline. Van Bronckhorst turned in frustration and beckoned Robbie Ure, the 18-year-old youth team forward, to warm up after his No.20 found touch with a switch of play. Moments later, James Tavernier barked back at his manager’s instructions when playing the ball infield. At every break of play, numerous coaches strode forward to try and pass on instructions in a desperate attempt to avert the crisis they knew anything other than three points would bring.

Tavernier’s spot-kick following Kent’s run stopped successive defeats but did little else. A penalty cannot gloss over the product that was on show in Paisley. Just like 29 shots papered over the reality of Rangers’ attacking display in Perth.

So what now? As things stand, Rangers wouldn’t top the Scottish Premiership even if they were to win all three remaining Old Firm games, a particularly unlikely feat given the manager’s record in that fixture. And who could suggest more points won’t be dropped when considering the last month?

Van Bronckhorst approached this run of games needing performances as well as results and has ended up with neither.

He may well have “no fears” about his role but clearly the support base heads into a five-week break with little to no hope that he can turn a season he’s presided over from the start.

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