“It’s important to stay calm and realistic.”

Simple words from Steven Gerrard yesterday – but totally applicable as his side seek to get back to winning ways against Dunfermline this evening.

Few could have predicted such a tumultuous seven days as Rangers warmed up against Malmo in Sweden on the 3rd of August – but after three defeats, such clamour is to be expected.

Such a disappointing run is a crisis at Rangers – of that there is no doubt. But it does not mean the club has to rip up a blueprint that has mapped out such success in the past year.

For a variety of reasons outwith the manager’s control, he had varying availability throughout his playing squad in the four competitive games played so far this season.

The bench on show away in Malmo was a surprise to everyone. Ryan Jack, Joe Aribo, Kemar Roofe, Alfredo Morelos, Joe Aribo, Ianis Hagi, Leon Balogun, Glen Kamara were all unavailable to play.

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The need for perspective in such times is of paramount importance amidst disappointment. That’s why the best-run football clubs are run proactively and not reactively. 

Complaints that the squad has lacked investment has some weight. Rangers held a position of strength this summer and only hindsight will tell if a lack of transfer fee spend was a mistake.

However, complaints the squad lacks depth or firepower appears impulsive.

It was only two weeks ago that numerous supporters were arguing the case for this being the strongest Rangers squad in recent memory – and retweeting graphics of two starting 11s that could be fielded.

Speaking ahead of the clash tonight, Gerrard said: “I don’t think I’m in a position where I have to make wholesale changes. I think for different reasons throughout pre-season people have been missing. Whether that be a family issue, an isolation issue, an injury issue.

“The squad’s starting to feel healthier, bodies are coming back and main players are getting in and around it. You look at our injury list now, only Sakala who’s got a niggling groin who we’ve decided not to risk tomorrow.

“Besides Sakala, we’ve got a fully fit squad to pick from other than Jack and Katic that you are well aware of. So things will settle down.

“I totally understand and appreciate the external scrutiny because of the start we’ve had and losing three games in a week, it’s totally understandable.

“But for me, it’s important to stay calm and realistic.”

Moving onto summer arrivals, it’s important to inject any conversation regarding Fashion Sakala and John Lundstram with a healthy dose of patience.

Sakala has played a grand total of 139 competitive minutes for the club. His performance against Livingston wasn’t quite the announcement some predicted, but time will be needed to adapt to the demands of such a game state.

Lundstram admittedly has made a couple of costly errors early on, but the role he plays in this team is arguably the most tactically demanding. He is tasked with progressing the ball from deep, covering the runs of James Tavernier and at times providing defensive width.

Both mistakes show he was some way there to blocking a lane or marking a man – but fine margins got the better of him on each occasion.

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Generally, players take time to adapt to these types of roles. Not only are they acquainting themselves with new teammates on-pitch, but they’re also learning different triggers and patterns and their individual roles within them.

Let’s take Liverpool for example, given the tactical similarities in their 4-3-3 system.

Fabinho, widely considered as one of the best No.6's in world football, took months to cement his place in the Liverpool team after a stellar spell with Monaco. Jurgen Klopp told Sky Sports in October 2018: "[He has had to] adapt to the style of play.

"You see all the qualities. Hard challenger, good in one-on-one situations, offensively, defensively quick, good shooter, fantastic set-pieces, good header, all these things. Strategically good in the right moment.

"But, in a different system, and a different way we play, just different, and that's what then always needs time to adapt, that's all."

Andy Robertson spoke at length on the Graham Hunter podcast about knocking on his manager’s door during his first season at Liverpool to question why he was not being selected.

Robertson says a big part of Klopp’s reasoning was his need to evolve and adapt to the way that Liverpool attacked – which you guessed it, took time.

The new system they were playing in was "different" to that played throughout their football careers to date. 

Even Thiago, who the season before arriving at Liverpool was the world’s best midfielder as Bayern Munich stormed to the Champions League title, had a mixed first season on Merseyside. Why? Because it took even him time to adapt to the demands, learn the patterns and familiarise himself with his role as a cog in the wheel.

You could equally point to Steven Davis’ return to Ibrox or Borna Barisic’s delayed impact as proof that not every impact is immediate.

Sakala was so sought after and Lundstram such a key member of a team that finished ninth in the Premiership in 2020 is because they’re very good players who Rangers did well to secure.

The January arrivals of Scott Wright and Jack Simpson are also stringent and intelligent moves - of which supporters have already seen the benefit.

While a week of disappointment brings with it questions - there must also be rational critique.

This remains a very good squad with desirable depth and a wealth of options. Lundstram and Sakala will go onto become important players at Ibrox - once "different" becomes their new normal.