Rangers leadership group 'crumbled under pressure' as pundit takes aim at trio

Rangers' 'leadership group' have been accused of "crumbling under pressure" with their title hopes hanging by a thread.

Gers are off the back off two games, against Ross County and Dundee, where six points would've put them back to the top of the Premiership. Instead they took just one, from last night's 0-0 draw with the Dee, and now sit three points behind Celtic in the title race with five post-split games to go.

Manager Philippe Clement insists they still have hope of claiming the league trophy but in truth it is looking very difficult for them, especially as they have to go to Celtic Park. The two matches over the past four days have proved very costly and performances in them have been lacklustre.

Pundit Rory Loy reckons captain James Tavernier and fellow stalwarts Connor Goldson and John Lundstram have not reacted well to the pressure. Those are players Clement has previously referred to as being in his leadership group.

Loy said on BBC Sportsound: “I’ve said it throughout, before the show, during the game, (it’s) pressure. 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.”