Rangers' European Nightmare Continues Amidst Fan Unrest Rangers' hopes for a swift return to European prominence have suffered another setback, with a Europa League defeat to Roma highlighting the deep-seated issues plaguing the club. A 2-0 loss at Ibrox, their seventh consecutive European defeat, has intensified fan frustration and raised serious questions about the club's direction under the new US-based ownership.

Roma Expose Rangers' Flaws in Europa League Clash Thursday night's defeat to Roma underscored the challenges facing manager Danny Rohl. Goals from Matias Soule and Lorenzo Pellegrini condemned Rangers to their fourth defeat in the Europa League group stage, leaving them rooted to the bottom of their group with no points. The performance, described as "uninspiring" by former Rangers striker Steven Thompson, showcased a lack of creativity and defensive vulnerability that Roma ruthlessly exploited.

"They huffed and puffed in the second half. It was improved, but not good enough," Thompson commented on Sportsound. "You can see he's forward thinking, willing to try things and take baby steps, and they might improve. But they're not going to improve to the level that will satisfy the supporters."

New Dawn Fades as Investment Fails to Deliver Just five months ago, the arrival of a US-based consortium, led by Andrew Cavenagh, promised a new era for Rangers. The investment was intended to close the gap on rivals Celtic and restore the club to its former glory. However, the promised transformation has failed to materialize, with the team struggling both domestically and in Europe. The early optimism has been replaced by disillusionment, with fans expressing their discontent through protests and banners at Ibrox.

Managerial Instability and Questionable Transfers The club's instability has been further compounded by managerial upheaval. Russell Martin's brief and unsuccessful tenure ended abruptly after just 123 days, and the subsequent search for a replacement was widely criticized before Danny Rohl eventually took the reins. The club's transfer activity has also come under scrutiny, with significant sums spent on players who have so far failed to make a meaningful impact. The acquisition of Youssef Chermiti from Everton for a reported £8m, despite his prior goal drought, exemplifies the questionable recruitment decisions that have fueled fan anger.

Ally McCoist, a Rangers legend, voiced his concerns on TNT Sports: "Have Rangers signed anyone better than who they've let go? Forget one transfer window for Rangers, it might be three. It's a big job. A big, big job."

Fan Pressure Mounts on Boardroom Figures The pressure is now firmly on chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell, who have become the target of fan protests. The sacking of Russell Martin has not quelled the unrest, and only a significant improvement in results will appease the increasingly vocal supporters. The upcoming January transfer window represents a crucial opportunity to address the squad's deficiencies, but there is little faith among the fanbase that the current regime can deliver the necessary reinforcements.

Looking Ahead: Domestic Focus and Potential Rebuild Despite their European struggles, Rangers' immediate priority must be the domestic scene. While they are five points adrift of Celtic in the league, there is still time to salvage the season. However, a significant rebuild is likely required, and the January transfer window will be pivotal in shaping the club's future. The challenge for Danny Rohl is to instill a sense of unity and purpose within the squad, and to convince the fans that a turnaround is possible. Whether he can achieve this remains to be seen, but the pressure is on to deliver a swift and tangible improvement.

According to financial football analyst, Kieran Maguire, speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, "Rangers' business model is heavily reliant on European football revenue. Failure to qualify regularly creates a significant financial hole that investment alone cannot fill. They need a sustainable plan beyond simply buying players."