It’s been quite the week for Rangers on and off the pitch.

A disastrous opening-day defeat at Kilmarnock was compounded by an extremely poor performance at Rugby Park. The reaction has been one of epic proportions, which we will come to shortly. Let’s get some things out the way, there is no excusing that level of performance and I believe the management team got the tactics and the selection wrong.

Rangers had no tempo and lacked attacking ideas. The selection felt too cautious and the inclusion of two defensive-minded midfielders was overkill. Rangers never got going, lacked urgency and the new signings failed to impress on a day to forget. Almost universally, on group chats, social media and the Rugby Park stand, everyone felt the team selection was wrong. The decision to drop Todd Cantwell, despite a difficult pre-season, was a confusing call. To replace him with a defensive-minded player in John Lundstram didn’t help. It was a move that simply didn’t work.

It was the worst possible start to the season.

Fast forward to Wednesday night and the 2-1 victory over Servette at Ibrox. Victory was extremely welcomed, as was the return of Cantwell to Rangers’ midfield. He drove his side on with energy and an intensity that we’d dearly lacked just days ago. Even if he hadn’t shone in pre-season it was a mistake to not play Cantwell last weekend - he’s the heartbeat of this side.

After just five minutes, the midfielder was quick to capitalise on a loose touch by Douline and win a spot-kick. Rangers then pushed on with a better tempo and press when they lost possession, rewarded with a second following some cracking build-up play.

The home side had three opportunities to break with numbers in the counterattack but a third never materialised. Raskin and Lammers were able to link up but the latter sliced wide when it seemed easier to score. The tie was there to be won in that moment. 

Moments later, a VAR stoppage awarded Servette a penalty against the unlucky Cyriel Dessers which was well converted. Rangers should have been three up but were now pegged back to just a one-goal advantage.

In the second half, well-worked opportunities for Lammers and Dessers were brilliantly saved with snap efforts from Abdallah Sima and Dowell straight at the Swiss stopper. Rangers failed to really put any clinical pressure on the visitors which leaves the tie on a knife's edge. With an extra man, the chance creation didn’t feel risky enough. The 90 minutes overall was much better but granted, it couldn’t have been much worse.

The reaction over this past week has been toxic. I don’t know if it has become a sport, but having the wildest and most outlandish take seems to be the current trend.

I’m one of the worst to give a wild take, especially in defeat, so trust me, I’m not sitting here lecturing anybody! But I do think it’s important to address a few of the opinions surrounding this squad and management.

READ MORE: Todd Cantwell's Rangers vs Servette showing busts best position myth

Firstly, Michael Beale. Every fan wanted a rebuild. This squad was broken and so many needed to move on. A dozen or so have already gone and more will follow. Nine players have joined and it will take a lot of time for them to gel.

All of a sudden following the Kilmarnock defeat, Beale's record and playing style are being questioned. I don’t think it makes sense for the same people who wanted change on and off the pitch, citing the state of the team, to suddenly hold Beale accountable for moments in big games last season so clearly outwith his control.

We all wanted a revamp, it needs time and patience. The new arrivals need time because the likes of Danilo and Cifuentes are literally just through the door. Lammers has gone from having a brilliant pre-season to an abundance of criticism. 

This is a long process and one we must be patient with. That doesn’t mean you have to say everything is wonderful, but wild takes and shouts need to be reigned in. That energy ought to be focused on getting behind the club.

Michael Beale isn’t going anywhere, this project is far from complete and he’ll be backed further in the transfer window before it slams shut. Switzerland might come too soon for this group and PSV could be a pipedream at this moment, but this squad is a work in progress.

Rangers will get it right under the guidance of Beale. He’s not infallible but getting on his back now, this early, won’t help anyone. I say that as someone who would like to see more attacking football and changes in how we operate. I say it as someone who was equally as angry with the dross we saw on Saturday and someone who thought Beale got it wrong. That absolutely doesn’t mean I have nothing but faith in the club to get it right.

We wanted a revamp and change takes time. I'm confident this Rangers team will get where we want them to go. So, let’s make sure we are with them.