What was supposed to mark a fresh era of ambition and revival for Rangers Football Club has quickly dissolved into frustration, protest, and uncertainty. The much-heralded “new dawn” under the US-based consortium led by Andrew Cavenagh promised change — new leadership, new investment, a new manager, and a vision to bring Rangers “back to the top.”
Five months on from that optimistic announcement on May 30, Ibrox is instead engulfed in disillusionment. The star-spangled banners and the “Make Rangers Great Again” slogans have vanished, replaced by angry displays of fan dissent and banners reading “This is not a hobby, this is our lives.”
From Hope to Hardship: The Fading Promise of a New Regime
When the American consortium took over, they pledged to restore Rangers to European prominence and close the gap on Celtic in the Scottish Premiership. But what has followed is a series of missteps and managerial turmoil.
Former head coach Russell Martin, once seen as the face of a progressive new footballing vision, lasted just 123 days before being dismissed — reportedly leaving Ibrox quietly in the back of a car. The search for his replacement turned chaotic, with several candidates entering and exiting contention before Danny Rohl was reappointed after initially withdrawing from the race.
Meanwhile, supporters have vented their anger toward club executives in public places, demanding accountability for both on-field failures and off-field instability.
European Misery Continues: Roma Defeat Highlights Harsh Reality
Rangers’ latest European outing only deepened the gloom. Against AS Roma in the Europa League, the Scottish side fell 2-0 at Ibrox, a result that felt all too familiar.
Matias Soule’s early header and a superb finish from Lorenzo Pellegrini condemned Rangers to a seventh consecutive European defeat, setting an unwanted club record. The performance was lackluster, with Rangers once again failing to impose themselves against a superior opponent.
Roma rarely needed to move beyond second gear, and the Italian side’s composure highlighted the gulf between them and their Scottish hosts.
Former Rangers striker Steven Thompson, speaking on BBC Sportsound, described the match as “uninspiring,” adding:
“They huffed and puffed in the second half. It was improved, but not good enough.”
Danny Rohl’s Early Struggles and the Need for January Reinforcements
Since taking charge, Danny Rohl has managed two wins in five games. While there have been glimpses of tactical experimentation and improved energy, inconsistency continues to haunt Rangers.
The upcoming January transfer window is being viewed as crucial — but confidence among supporters remains low. Many fans are asking whether the club’s recruitment strategy has improved at all under the new ownership.
During the summer, £20 million was reportedly injected into the squad. However, big-money signings like Youssef Chermiti, purchased from Everton for £8 million, have failed to deliver — with just one goal in twelve appearances. Other signings such as Oliver Antman, Oscar Cortes, Thelo Aasgaard, Emmanuel Fernandez, and Djeidi Gassama have also struggled to make an impact.
Meanwhile, proven contributors such as Hamza Igamane, Cyriel Dessers, and Vaclav Cerny have all departed — leaving many to question whether the team has regressed rather than progressed.
Club legend Ally McCoist summed it up on TNT Sports:
“Have Rangers signed anyone better than who they’ve let go? Forget one transfer window — it might take three. It’s a big job. A big, big job.”
Pressure Mounts on Rangers Leadership
Chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell have both come under intense scrutiny from the Rangers support. Protests at Ibrox have specifically targeted the pair, with fans accusing the board of lacking football vision and transparency.
The removal of Russell Martin did little to ease the unrest, as results have failed to match expectations. The club sits 14 points behind Celtic in the league and anchored to the bottom of their European group with zero points.
For Cavenagh and his consortium, the patience of the Ibrox faithful is wearing thin. Supporters demand evidence that the promised revival was more than just marketing rhetoric.
Domestic Focus: The Only Way Forward?
Despite their struggles, Rangers remain just five points behind Celtic in domestic competition, albeit having played more games. Their League Cup semi-final loss to their Glasgow rivals showed flashes of resilience, particularly when playing much of the game with ten men.
Manager Danny Rohl has insisted that the team still has the mentality to turn things around, telling reporters after the match:
“I see a group willing to fight. We are still convinced that this team can change its course.”
But with fan confidence waning and the January window looming, Rangers face a crucial few months that could define their season — and possibly the future of the new ownership.
The supposed “new dawn” at Ibrox has yet to materialize, and unless results improve quickly, it risks fading into another chapter of broken promises and missed opportunities.
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