James McFadden savages Rangers first teamer after controversial comments
James McFadden has slammed Rangers winger Ryan Kent for his comments on the Gers’ title ambitions.
The 23-year-old suggested last week that Steven Gerrard’s men are performing so well in the Europa League because they relish their underdog status in the competition, as per the Daily Record.
But McFadden has criticised the player heavily for his statement, arguing that such a defeatist mentality is “not good enough” for a club of the Light Blues’ stature.
Speaking to BBC Sport (22.11) in the aftermath of the Gers’ 1-0 defeat to Hamilton on Wednesday evening, the former Scotland international said: “Ryan Kent, their record signing, said the other week about playing in Europe, we prefer being the underdog.
“That is not good enough for Rangers.
“That has to change.”
Are McFadden’s comments justified?
Absolutely, yes.
The contrast between Rangers in the first half of the season and where they are now is nothing short of shocking.
How a title-challenging side can allow their form to fall off a cliff so dramatically is anybody’s guess, but increasingly you can’t help feeling that it is a lack of mental fortitude that is at the root of the Gers’ problems.
Even Steven Gerrard suggested last month that his squad had less character than he thought they did, and such a brazen comment from the manager himself is a sure sign of just how bad things really are.
But it’s little wonder that the lads are struggling if they have convinced themselves they are the underdogs.
The manner in which they went and played Celtic off the field at Parkhead in December should have been more than enough to dispel any of those doubts, but instead, it is clear that they have bought into the narrative that the title is the Hoops’ to lose.
That has been Rangers’ downfall this season, as it was last year, and until that root issue can be addressed, it’s hard to see how we can ever hope to topple our bitter rivals.
In other Rangers news, ‘Bizarre’ – Bruce outlines ‘huge worry’ for Gerrard after Gers loss v Hamilton.