Questions are being asked of Rangers but champions answer them - Four Lads Had A Dream

The facts speak volumes. Six European games this season, four defeats and only one win. There is no way that I am accepting that Malmo or Prague are better or near the levels of the teams we beat last season. Better than a Willem II? Better than Liege? Better than Antwerp or Benfica who we pushed so close?

No, and not even close. Rangers have dropped off and that’s the worrying situation.

In Scotland, we have got away with it largely unscathed and that domestic lead over our biggest rivals has extended into a really healthy state. A victory on Sunday against Hibs will take us further clear and we will be sitting really healthy position domestically. However there is a but, and it’s a difficult one because I don’t want to be heavy-handed - we are miles away from the levels we are used to, individually as well as collectively.

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It hasn’t been good enough and a very narrow, poor performance over Dundee isn’t enough to hide flaws that are so evident. We can’t accept mediocrity in performance as long as we are scraping wins because sooner or later that luck will run out and Dundee were close to doing that. That should never be the case and with all due respect to them, that should be a comfortable afternoon.

But we are slow on the ball, taking extra touches, being ponderous and lacking in the press. We are also giving up so many chances. Good form has been patchy and sporadic.

I have written a lot about context and being fair, so let’s allow for Covid and injuries - we have had really tough luck. Chuck in internationals and suspensions and the full picture shows it hasn’t been easy and selection has suffered.

But, and there's that word again, we have to be better. We can go up levels and we will go up levels. One big effort on Sunday allows a break that will let the squad regroup. Europe can be put to the back burner and we now have to aim for seven points minimum in those remaining Europa League games because progress is important both financially and to build momentum.

That’s the other thing, momentum. We have been unfortunate because full-backs, midfield, wide players have all lacked it and been patchy, much like our performances.

There is a lot of questions but the only focus should now be on Hibs. We need the intensity, we need the pressing and crisp passing game to return but the positive is - it can.

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Sunday becomes really huge, win that and we are in a very good position. It should lift some of the mood and boost the spirits of the players. Claim the victory, get some rest and time on the training pitch then return ready to go up several levels. We will have to do that because play beneath our ability and Hibs will really push us. They are a decent, confident side. It’s simply now a matter of going out and doing it on the grass.

It takes responsibility and leadership. We have that though and we have the ability, it’s time to stand up and take it. We can be so much better and the levels of last season haven’t been close, but last season is gone.

If the players are dwelling on past glories then they need to let it go. If the players have peaked and can’t go up the levels, then the manager has to recognise and fix it.

But that’s for later. Right now the only focus is Hibs. At some point this team will click, maybe it will be Sunday, but it has to happen soon. There are questions being asked of this team and these players. Champions always answer questions.

Win on Sunday, regroup and get some confidence then kick on domestically and in Europe. Nothing is lost and nothing is won, when we do click then we really have a great chance but we won’t be allowed to wait forever.

I’m confident in this team and in these players. Find our levels, find our performance and we will kick on once more.