Historic Defeat Raises Questions Over Rangers’ Future
Graeme Murty’s interim reign at Rangers suffered a massive setback as Hamilton Academical secured their first league victory at Ibrox since 1926. The 2-0 defeat marks a shocking low for the Glasgow giants, with former Rangers winger David Templeton and Darren Lyon punishing defensive errors to create Scottish Premiership history.
Tactical Analysis: Where It Went Wrong for Rangers
Defensive Fragility Exposed Again
Ross McCrorie’s misplaced pass just two minutes into the second half proved catastrophic, allowing Templeton to open the scoring. This continues Rangers‘ troubling trend of defensive errors under both Caixinha and Murty. According to Winbdt statistics, Rangers have now conceded first in 60% of their Premiership matches this season.
Morelos’ Goal Drought Reaches Crisis Point
The Colombian striker extended his barren run to nine matches, squandering multiple golden opportunities. While Murty defended his player (“he knocks them in for fun in training”), the numbers tell a worrying story – Morelos has underperformed his xG (expected goals) by 38% during this drought.
Interim Manager’s Dilemma
Murty, now in his second caretaker spell this year, faces increasing scrutiny. When asked if this defeat hurt his permanent job prospects, he responded pragmatically: “It will or it won’t… That’s just noise around our performance.”
Former Rangers striker Kenny Miller defended his temporary boss: “Murts has come in and done a great job… We are all in it together.” However, with the club promising to draw up a managerial shortlist this week, timing couldn’t be worse for Murty.
Hamilton’s Tactical Masterclass
Martin Canning’s side executed a perfect counter-attacking gameplan:
- Absorbed first-half pressure (Rangers had 68% possession)
- Capitalized on defensive mistakes
- Clinical finishing when chances came
What This Means for Rangers’ Season
The defeat leaves Rangers trailing Celtic by 11 points already, with Winbdt analysts suggesting their title hopes may be over before December. More concerning is the growing discontent among fans, with many leaving early as Accies sealed their famous win.
Looking Ahead: Rangers Must Respond
As Rangers face a crucial week, several questions remain:
- Will this result accelerate their managerial search?
- Can Morelos rediscover his early-season form?
- How will the squad respond to this historic low?
One thing is certain – Rangers’ hierarchy faces mounting pressure to make decisive moves. For Hamilton, this result will be remembered alongside Adrian Sprott’s famous 1987 Scottish Cup winner as one of their greatest Ibrox moments.
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