Walter Smith lost plenty of games as Rangers manager, as did Dick Adocaat and Alex McLeish on the way to winning titles but, unlike Philippe Clement, they all had strikers capable of killing games off when form was poor.
Against Ross County, the Gers boss cut a frustrated figure, it wasn’t for the lack of trying, however, his message just didn’t seem to be getting across to a squad that contains too many players who have let the fans down in the past.
There were plenty of repeat offenders and yet it was one of the newer culprits whose contribution has possibly cost Rangers and Philippe Clement what would have been an incredible title win.
Rangers need to find goal scoring solution for Philippe Clement
The Scottish Premiership is still in our hands, albeit Celtic clearly have the upper hand now with one Old Firm left because it is at Parkhead.
There is also a worrying trend of conceding cheap goals that has crept into Rangers play and a midfield that is more porous than Dundee’s pitch.
Titles are often won or lost on moments; Allan McGregor’s penalty save against Giorgios Samaras, Andy Goram’s save against Pierre van Hooiijdonk or Paul Gascoigne’s inspired hat-trick against Aberdeen.
Nobody in this Rangers squad seems capable of making a similar impact.
One incident in particular was a perfect demonstration of Rangers season, a lack of cutting edge costing us when it mattered most.
At 1-0 up, Rangers had been poor when a chance fell to Cyriel Dessers that should have put Philippe Clement’s side 2-0 in front and, you would think, out of sight.
However, after a decent first touch, he’s then given Ross Laidlaw a chance to make a save by going to the side that the keeper is diving to rather than aiming for the opposite side of the goal that had opened up.
Dessers has decent numbers but needs big moments
Dessers consistently seems to take the wrong or more complicated option and, at times, doesn’t even get a shot away.
This is just the latest example of Dessers missing a big chance at a key moment and over complicating what is a relatively straight forward opportunity.
He has six games left to redeem himself, especially at Parkhead after his last appearance there.
Read More: Cyriel Dessers profile
The Nigeria international is now pushing 10 big chances missed this season, even being generous, he should be on over 25 goals.
On paper, that’s the difference between winning and losing the league.
As this chance could well end up being.
