The problem with Rangers is glaringly obvious – Jonny McFarlane

From Ange Postecoglou somehow turning Celtic from a total shambles into a genuine title threat to Rangers going to Dortmund and smashing the Bundesliga giants on their own patch – nothing has followed a standard narrative. 

And yesterday was no different.  

As Celtic stumbled at Easter Road, you would have bet the house on Rangers, full of beans from their spectacular midweek, taking care of the Steelmen without too many problems. 

Even more so after a first-half where Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side rolled over the top of their opponents who simply couldn’t get a sniff. 

It was remarkable then to watch Motherwell creep back into the game - after some excellent tactical adjustments and a triple substitution - to secure a draw. 

READ MORE: Every word of James Tavernier’s Rangers press conference as captain dismisses mentality question

The point was gleamed for the visitors despite a barrage of second-half pressure as Graham Alexander’s side retreated after restoring parity. 

And in a match defined by the unforseen, perhaps this was the only thing we should have been prepared for. For Rangers are becoming a side that let their opponents off the hook all too often.

They have peppered the goal in their last three Scottish Premiership matches, chalking up 18 shots against Hibs, 28 against Dundee United and 30 yesterday. 

Rangers remarkable shot map against Dundee United

Basis shot map Rangers vs Motherwell (Source:Footmob)

That’s 76 efforts on goal, from which the net has only rippled five times. 

Rangers have been profligate and are paying the price for their lack of cool precision where it counts. 

Against Motherwell, the early data suggests they dominated the ball with 77 percent possession and racked up 15 corners. Add this to their shot count and you wonder how this match slipped away. 

But in the cold light of day - as Twitter's Boomers are fond of telling me - the only stat that truly matters is the final scoreline. 

With Celtic’s goal difference of nine, their three-point lead is effectively four which makes the failure to cut the gap all the more concerning. 

The inability to turn the screw and apply pressure to Celtic prompted questions from the media about the mentality of the players after the game. It was a suggestion the manager strongly refuted. 

He said: “I think the mentality’s good. We didn’t have any complaints on Thursday on the mentality, it’s the same players so it’s a couple of days later. 

“They want to win but sometimes these situations happen, we have to be more ruthless defensively, that’s for sure and we have to be more clinical in front of goal. We had a lot of chances to score more goals but if you look back on the run after the break, getting four draws isn’t good enough, it has to be better, especially with the standards we want to have with this club.  

“Of course, we can do many things better but I think the mentality of the players is what’s needed to be successful but obviously, we cannot continue dominating games and getting one point out of them.” 

And there it was in that final line. Nailed.

For all the defence was shambolic and all the criticism of Allan McGregor – the reality is that little would matter with more incision in the final third.  

READ MORE: Giovanni van Bronckhorst Rangers Q+A in full: Backing Allan McGregor, VAR calls and lacking ruthlessness

Ryan Kent is a marvellous player. Everyone saw his level once again on Thursday. But he's scored a paltry two goals in the league this season. Fashion Sakala has seven. Morelos is. the top scorer with 12.

They all need to do more.

Van Bronckorst is still settling into the role as Rangers manager. He's still getting used to the tactical idiosyncrasies of the Scottish game.

Steven Gerrard took two seasons of tinkering to find a solution to the low organised block he faced every week. The Dutchman won’t get anything like as long. 

Three days after arguably the best European result since The Cup Winner’s Cup victory of 1972, social media was ablaze with criticism. 

Such is life at Rangers. He must find solutions and fast.

At least that much isn't unexpected.