It’s been an eventful few days for Rangers, especially after the shock Scottish Cup loss to Queen’s Park left Philippe Clement in the hot seat.
A result like that has many fans questioning his future, but it also sparked a bigger conversation about the club’s managerial history and whether or not Clement could survive this kind of setback.
Ally McCoist recently suggested that Steven Gerrard might one day return to Rangers, and while some fans dismissed the idea, this weekend’s cup shock has made people think twice.
The big question, though, is whether a return from Gerrard would be welcomed—or whether some supporters would hold a grudge over his departure in 2021.
Would Gerrard’s Return Be Welcome?
Gerrard’s first stint as manager at Rangers was nothing short of historic, with his league title win being one of his major achievements.
However, his departure for Aston Villa in 2021 still leaves a bitter taste for many fans.
Danny Wilson, a former Rangers player, suggested that there might be a section of fans who wouldn’t be happy to see Gerrard back, especially after his mixed managerial experiences at Villa and Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia.
“I think there might be a group of fans who would welcome him back, but there are others who still remember how he left,” Wilson shared.
“He didn’t exactly set the world on fire after he left, so I think many might prefer a fresh start.”
Despite that, McCoist disagrees, saying he wouldn’t be surprised if Gerrard returned one day, given his popularity with the fans for that title-winning season.
“His next job is going to be crucial,” McCoist said, acknowledging that things haven’t gone smoothly for Gerrard since leaving Rangers.
Tavernier’s Penalty Miss Haunts Rangers
One of the most painful moments of Rangers’ weekend came courtesy of their captain, James Tavernier.
While Tavernier has been a standout player for Rangers with an impressive 129 goals and 139 assists, his penalty record in the Scottish Cup has been far from perfect.
In a match against Queen’s Park, with the scoreline 0-0 and time running out, Tavernier had the chance to give Rangers a dramatic win, but his penalty was saved.
It was a gut-wrenching moment, and one that added to his history of missed penalties in the competition, with Tavernier only converting three out of eight attempts.
His failure to convert in such a crucial moment has led to increased criticism from fans, especially as Tavernier’s trophy haul at Rangers is relatively modest, considering his length of service.
For a captain who’s nearing 500 appearances, the expectations are high, and Sunday’s miss made it clear that much more is expected from him.
Barisic Faces Another Setback
Meanwhile, Borna Barisic, another player who left Rangers for pastures new, continues to face a series of unfortunate setbacks.
The Croatian left-back, who moved to Turkish side Trabzonspor, has struggled to secure a regular place in the team, and after failing to impress at the Turkish club, he was loaned out to Spanish side Leganes.
Unfortunately, his hopes of a fresh start quickly came crashing down when he suffered a serious knee injury just 10 minutes into his debut, leaving him sidelined for the rest of the season.
It’s been a cruel twist of fate for Barisic, who endured injury struggles during his time at Rangers as well.
The Scottish Cup Myth: Do Rangers Managers Really Get Sacked After Cup Upsets?
There’s a myth floating around that Rangers managers don’t survive a Scottish Cup shock exit, but that belief doesn’t quite line up with history.
Yes, there have been some shocking results in the club’s past, such as the 1967 loss to Berwick Rangers and the 1987 defeat to Hamilton Accies, but in both cases, the managers involved—Scot Symon and Graeme Souness—kept their jobs.
So, despite the uproar following Rangers’ early exit this year, it’s worth noting that Philippe Clement may not be facing the sack just yet.
Rangers fans may be upset, but there’s a precedent for managers surviving tough moments, even if those results were deeply embarrassing for the club.
Time will tell if Clement can weather this storm, but history suggests it’s not as simple as an immediate firing.
Hagi May Follow in His Father’s Footsteps
On a brighter note for Rangers, Ianis Hagi is making waves.
The midfielder, who was born in Istanbul while his legendary father Gheorghe Hagi played for Galatasaray, has long been admired by the Turkish club.
Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk recently revealed that the club had attempted to sign Hagi in the past, and hinted that a move could still happen one day.
“He’s a very good player,” Buruk said.
“I’ve been following him for a while now, and maybe one day he’ll play for us.”
Hagi’s future at Rangers remains uncertain, as his contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
But with his solid performances on the field, it seems likely that Galatasaray won’t be the only team keeping an eye on him.
Rangers Women on the Verge of Taking Charge
Lastly, some good news for Rangers fans comes from the women’s team, who are on the cusp of taking control of the title race.
After a strong run of form, including a dominant 10-0 victory over Aberdeen, Jo Potter’s side finds themselves just two points behind the league leaders, Glasgow City and Celtic.
With the two top teams facing off this Friday, a win against Partick Thistle on Sunday could see Rangers leapfrog them into first place.
Potter’s team has been playing some excellent football of late, and the momentum is building at just the right time in the season.
With five straight victories, the squad is peaking when it matters most—giving Rangers fans something to smile about amid the men’s team struggles.
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