Ahead of Rangers returning to action in Inverness on Friday night, the expectation is to build on the win over Partick Thistle last time out.
Stretching back to the night we won promotion against Dumbarton in April, we have only won three of the following 12 league games.
A lot of work still needs doing for us to be consistently successful in the league this season. Lessons need to be learned from the games so far, especially the element of predictability about our style of play.
However, realistically, after four years out of the top flight it was never going to be plain sailing for Rangers on our return.
It would always take a period of time to have the new players settle in to the game in Scotland. The manager also had to realise how high expectations really are at Ibrox.
That’s why there has been immediate criticism for the winless results. Obviously that won’t change regardless if most of this season needs to be a learning curve.
The current squad should have enough in them to be able to win the majority of the games. That isn’t happening so far and there are differing opinions on why that is. Be it the aforementioned settling in period of new signings or the predictability of the way we play.
From midfield to the forward line, our recruits in those areas have been good. Most of them look like they will be important players in the long term.
As our defence is left exposed because of the playing style, this was one area that needed strengthening from last season.
The additions of Clint Hill and Phillipe Senderos don’t yet seem to be right when complimenting those we already have. Had we signed Clint Hill ten years ago we would have had a terrific player. Although, he did impress when partnering Danny Wilson recently.
We must begin to show that we are learning how to adapt to games when the usual style isn’t working.
The opening day draw against Hamilton was the immediate wake-up call for the team – even if they didn’t realise it.
We did well to earn victories over Dundee and Motherwell in the following games, especially as we showed further weaknesses in each match.
From there followed a run of four games without a win: a 1-1 draw at Kilmarnock, a 5-1 defeat in the Old Firm, a goalless draw with Ross County and a 2-1 defeat at Aberdeen.
Each of which, particularly the Old Firm, exposed every question that needed answering at the early stage of the season.
The defeat in Aberdeen was probably the best performance in the league so far. That loss was difficult to take as we lost to a contentious free-kick decision on the back of it.
Performances don’t win games though. Something which rang true against Partick Thistle where the best football was played around the two first half goals.
YouTube: REACTION | David Weir | Rangers 2-0 Partick Thistle
A full 90-minute performance complete with everything that Mark Warburton wants us to convey on the pitch, much like we did for the majority of last season, has evaded us so far.
Once the team, including the manager, fully adapts to the top flight, an upturn in the results should follow.
Experience of the league that we have missed for four years will play a part in said results though. That’s why finishing outside of the top two should not come as a surprise.
