Neil McCann believes that Rangers fans have valid reasons to be worried about the current state of the club. The ongoing dissatisfaction between supporters and the board at Ibrox has escalated as the team’s on-field performances remain inconsistent.
After suffering a 2-1 defeat to Aberdeen, Rangers are now trailing behind both Aberdeen and Celtic by nine points in the Scottish Premiership standings. Despite manager Philippe Clement signing a contract extension in August, many are calling for his dismissal. McCann questions whether the team can handle the pressure if they continue to underperform.
He emphasizes that the players must also take responsibility for their inconsistent displays, not just the manager. McCann expressed his concerns on William Hill’s SPFL preview show, The Warm-Up, stating that the players need to show more character to cope with the mounting pressure.
Former Celtic player Paul Lambert added that there is little time for players and managers to settle in at Rangers and Celtic due to the high expectations at both clubs. He believes that only those who can adapt quickly and understand the need to win at all costs will succeed.
Meanwhile, Aberdeen’s recent success under new manager Jimmy Thelin has been impressive, with the team remaining unbeaten in the league under his guidance. Thelin’s emphasis on humility has helped the squad maintain focus and avoid getting carried away with their early-season achievements.
Despite being only three months into the season, there is already talk of a title challenge from Aberdeen. McCann, who has firsthand experience of the intense atmosphere at Pittodrie, commended Thelin for revolutionizing the club’s mentality and believes they are genuine contenders for the title based on their current form.
Overall, the concerns surrounding Rangers’ performances, along with Aberdeen’s rise to the top of the table, highlight the competitiveness and unpredictability of Scottish football. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how each team copes with the pressure and whether Aberdeen can sustain their impressive form to mount a serious title challenge.