Rory Loy reckons Rangers’ leadership group have once again crumbled under the “pressure” of the title tussle with Celtic.
The Rangers Academy graduate was speaking after the Ibrox side’s disastrous 0-0 draw with Dundee at Dens Park.
That result followed on from defeat to Ross County at the weekend, with Celtic now holding a three point lead in the Scottish Premiership title race.
Going into the final five games, Philippe Clement has urged his Rangers team to write themselves into the record books and win every post-split fixture for the first time in Rangers history.
But for Rory Loy, it is all too little, too late, with the BBC Sport pundit filleting Rangers’ well-established leadership group for collapsing in recent matches.
Rory Loy: Gers crumble under “pressure”
Rory Loy was speaking to the BBC Scottish Football Podcast in the immediate aftermath of Rangers’ 0-0 draw with Dundee.
That result means Rangers have won only one game in five league matches, a run kickstarted by a shock defeat to Motherwell last month.
Having won 11 straight league games in the run-up to that defeat against the Steelmen, Rory Loy reckons the same old faces have once again crumbled under the pressure.
Taking aim at leadership trio James Tavernier, Connor Goldson and John Lundstram, Loy claims that they do not “react” well enough when the chips are down.
“I’ve said it throughout, before the show, during the game, (it’s) pressure” said Rory Loy when asked about why Rangers have capitulated. “I don’t think that they have dealt well with the pressure.
“I think some of their stalwarts, Tavernier, Goldson, Lundstram, they’ve been in this position before and anytime that bit of pressure is applied they don’t seem to react well to it.
“They can’t seem to handle it all that well. They did one season of course, when Celtic capitulated and were not anywhere close to them.
“But when it comes to this time of the season, where it’s just after the winter break or closer to the end of the season, they don’t seem to be able to handle it very well.”
Dundee draw has Celtic ‘85% favourites’ over Rangers
As a result of Rangers’ recent capitulation, Rory Loy reckons Celtic are now 85% nailed on to go and lift the Scottish Premiership title.
This is a substantial climb-down from the 50/50 the former Rangers striker – who made two league appearances across five seasons at the club – branded the title race in the wake of the recent Old Firm draw.
It’s a damning indictment of the last 180 minutes for Rangers who’ve surrender an albeit slender title advantage and presented a golden opportunity to our rivals.
“Before Sunday I would’ve said it was 50/50,” said Loy. “After Sunday (defeat to Ross County) I would’ve probably been down near 35/65.
“After tonight I would say it’s about 85%, I’m 85% certain that Celtic will win the league title. So 15% chance that Rangers might come back and win it.”
Attentions now turn to the Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts at Hampden, with Rangers set to face the Jambos this coming Sunday afternoon (21/04).
