Rangers great Kris Boyd has reflected on his former club’s disappointing Europa League night and says substantial changes are required at Ibrox.
Boyd argues that the Light Blues must start looking for a new manager right away, with their most recent high-profile signing casting severe doubt on the club’s recruitment plan.
Rangers were reduced to ten men after Mohamed Diomande was sent off, and they lost their first group-stage game at home to Genk. Already 11th in the Premiership, pressure is mounting on head coach Russell Martin, with recruiting once again under scrutiny.
Boyd singled out Youssef Chermiti, Everton’s £8 million signing whose deal might be worth £10 million, claiming that the striker did little to justify the high price in his debut appearance. On Sky, he stated that despite negative feedback after the Hearts game, Rangers remained committed to their manager. Right now, there is no other option except to begin planning for a new manager, and the club’s entire recruitment strategy needs to be reconsidered.”
“When you pay that kind of money for a striker, he has to make an impact straight away, but Chermiti didn’t,” he continued, adding that Rangers cannot continue to ignore bad transfer dealings. There was no indication that he may be the player Rangers needed prior to the red card. Although he will be held accountable for the transfer fee, other members of the team also appear to fall well short of the necessary level.
Boyd emphasised the need for greater accountability while cautioning that Martin will eventually take the brunt of the blame: “Right now, there’s a clear disconnect between the fans, the team, and the club leadership, and it’s as bad as I’ve seen it.”
Boyd reflected on the game and said that Rangers were second best even before losing by one man: “Yes, Diomande’s red card and Jack Butland’s penalty save changed the flow, but Genk still created the better chances throughout.” Teams can stay small and make things difficult, even with ten players; the Rangers were the reverse. They were flattered by the 1-0 score, which could have easily been three or four.
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