A game Rangers had to win, a game we certainly couldn’t lose. Unfortunately, we did exactly that.

Recriminations will run long into the days ahead but the uneasy truths are right there in front of us, no more so than for the manager.

You can blame Ross Wilson and he deserves massive criticism for wasted windows which have failed to improve the first team. There have been those shouting for that for months but now that the final blow has been landed we can most certainly now discuss it with merit.

He will be judged on Juninho Bacuna and Amad Diallo, with squad dross that would never have cut it. Results mean he is can expect criticism and he deserves it. That’s the nature of life at this club.

You can blame the board for not investing in January. I was extremely vocal about expecting some of the Nathan Patterson money to be spent. Not the full £9.5m we received upfront, but at least £3-4m. Instead, we got frees, loans and a Bosman defender in John Souttar we wouldn’t pay extra for.

Now, they were right not to bend to Hearts' demands for a guy we get for free in six months but now that decision is arguably wrong because of the situation we are in.

You can blame the off-field issues, the somewhat erratic nature of Rangers where civil war is only ever a moment away.

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You can highlight this squad and the weak nature of its mentality, its various failures in three of four seasons. Yes, a league was delivered last season but two easy cup wins were missed. It's a squad that time and time again has wilted at the slightest bit of pressure or expectation. The Board, Ross Wilson, the squad, whoever else, it’s all correct, it’s all part of a wider discussion.

Here’s the real burning issue, however. Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

50% of League games won is not a good return. A 12 point swing is completely unacceptable and two straight defeats to Celtic where we were carved apart in both can't be sugar-coated. It's the uncomfortable truth that’s right in front of you. 

If we don’t win the Scottish Cup semi we will head to Parkhead with Giovanni staring down the barrel of four defeats he will not recover from in the eyes of the fans. This season was always going to be decided in the next two weeks and that’s where the manager will take responsibility.

If this goes badly wrong, Gio may be facing a situation where the fans have lost faith altogether and the board have a decision to make.

Gio has done some good things, especially in Europe. Of course, it’s reactionary, of course, it’s harsh but it's the uncomfortable truth.

Rangers were toothless against Celtic again. In fact, if we are really honest Celtic scored twice and created at least FIVE other decent opportunities. FIVE. The exact same as Parkhead where the result was probably a let off.

Rangers started like a house on fire and took the lead. We then conceded soft goals and soft opportunities. Sure we were better, sure we had most of the ball but it’s still never enough to be anywhere near acceptable levels. Pass, wide, back, wide, cross to hit the first man or cleared. It took until 83 mins for Kemar Roofe to connect with a cross from Connor Goldson of all people.

It might be slightly better, but we never laid a real glove on them again. That’s where we are. In five years and four managers, we don’t have a plan B or striker beyond Alfredo Morelos. That's an absolutely shocking and damning FACT about where we are. So yes, we can criticise everyone but the man carrying the can is Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

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It’s not all his fault, it’s not his team and it’s not even a surprise but we have seen this before with this squad but it is exactly where are.

Van Bronckhorst has to bounce back. He has to find a way and he has to avoid a whitewash that will cripple any hopes he had of being a successful Rangers manager. Europe is a bonus but the support won’t allow it to cloud the deficiencies of domestic problems.

If Gio has a disastrous April then Rangers have huge decisions to make and the manager will face the music. Boardroom decisions, Ross Wilson's transfer record and a squad who checked out should not be missed no matter what happens to the manager. This isn’t on one man.

But the situation for Gio is stark and that’s where we are, this is his uncomfortable truth and we have to all hope it doesn’t go that far.