New Manager to do List - Top 5 priorities

Five Massive Fixes the Next Rangers Manager Must Tackle Immediately

Rangers next manager has a long list of jobs, and even more maintenance, to tackle once he, whoever he may be, is appointed to the now once again vacant Ibrox hot seat following the deserved, if somewhat delayed, sacking of Russell Martin last week.

The club, from top to bottom, is in disarray. The on-field chaos is largely the result of the poorly conceived coaching methods of former Scotland international Martin, who departs as, statistically and sentimentally, Rangers worst-ever manager, bar none.

But the problems run deeper. A growing section of the support is becoming disillusioned with the new ownership already and increasingly concerned by the governance of CEO Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell, the duo chiefly responsible for appointing Martin in the first place.

While those issues cannot be fixed by a manager (or “head coach,” if we’re using the in-vogue terminology), the on-field problems can. With Kevin Muscat now leading the race to become the next boss of Rangers Football Club, here’s what he needs to do the moment he walks through the door:

Stop the Leaks

Rangers have become far too easy to play against. Defensive organisation, shape, and discipline have all but vanished under Martin and he has continued a record that has seen us set a club record for consecutive away matches conceded in, 23, which needs to be clamped down ASAP.

We have been far too open to play against, and despite the return of form to Jack Butland he has been picking the ball out of his net far too regularly for us to have any chance of success.

Any incoming manager must make the team compact and sturdy again, restore accountability in the back line and not allow the same mistakes to happen continually, and ensure that cheap goals, from set-pieces or transitions, are eradicated immediately.

Get Us Creating

For all the talk of “philosophy” and “patterns of play,” Rangers have looked lifeless going forward. The midfield lacks cohesion, the wide areas are predictable, and the forwards, both the £8m man Yousef Chermiti and the proven SPFL hitman Bojan Miovski. are feeding off scraps.

The new boss needs to inject pace, purpose, and unpredictability back into the attack, Rangers must once again look like a team capable of overwhelming opponents, not just edging past them, if we even manage that.

We are already too reliant on Djeidi Gassama on the left, with the Frenchman quickly becoming our only creative outlet, that is too predicable to defend against and we need some spark and light from elsewhere. The new boss needs the likes of Thelo Aasgaard and Mohammed Diomande to get involved more in forward play and reignite the spark in Oliver Antman we seen oh so briefly against Viktoria Plzen.

Fix the Mentality

Perhaps the biggest issue of all. This Rangers side folds far too easily when challenged. The fear factor that once existed at Ibrox has disappeared. The new man must bring back a winning mindset, a refusal to accept mediocrity, and the hunger that defined the great Rangers teams of old.

If certain players are unable to grow to the blue jersey and the crest adorned on it, then the shirt must be removed, we need players committed to the cause even in the face of adversity. For too long going behind or things not going all our way has caused the heads to go, we need a mentality monster and a man who can motivate, we need a leader in the dugout to keep the players heads risen when things go array.

Give Youth a Chance

Supporters want to see the next generation trusted. The club’s academy has produced talent, but too few have been given a proper platform.

Whoever takes charge must back young players who show quality and drive, not just talk about development, but deliver it. Findlay Curtis needs game time, he has shown he is a threat, can score goals and most importantly, he gets it. Give the lads a proper chance and get some true royal blue Rangers blood back in the team and see the benefits unfold.

Reconnect the Fans

Right now, there’s a disconnect between the players and the stands. The crowd has grown tired of lifeless football and half-hearted performances, it is no longer anger, it is apathy and that is not sustainable at Rangers.

The new manager must understand what Rangers means, to demand effort, to demand intensity, and to give supporters something to believe in again, but he also must instil in the squad how lucky they are, and what a place to play this is. Do that and both sides will once again feel the incomparable joy that success at Ibrox brings.