Questions have been asked about Ally McCoist's tactical abilities and what type of team he is seeking to develop. Watching the game on Saturday there was an all too familiar feel to Rangers' efforts. Players out of position? Check. A lacklustre first half building to a frantic last 20 minutes? Check. Lack of direction from the bench? Check.

Kyle Bartley is a decent centre half, and at a push decent cover as a defensive midfielder, but at right back he contributes little going forward. If we are persisting with Papac on the left that is two full backs not suited to overlapping and adding to the attack. The issue is simply compounded by the presence of Lee Wallace at left midfield. It is the sort of approach that Walter was guilty of but he at least had the excuse of being old and conservative. This year is McCoist’s big break. In charge of the team for his first season he has the goodwill of the support so why so scared?

This was Aberdeen at home. They started the day in ninth, their manager is under an increasing amount of pressure and they put out a make shift team. They may raise their game at Pittodre but in the last 20 years Aberdeen have failed to win at Ibrox and, before Saturday, scored a grand total of eight goals at Ibrox since the SPL began. Why then go into a game so heavily reliant on Aluko to create and attack?

There is only so much I can write about our financial issues and my concerns regarding the intentions/abilities of the current owner. It would appear to be having an impact on the pitch, something that will certainly be compounded in coming weeks if Jelavic leaves.

The truth is though fan expectations were low when we began the season. I believe as a support we are big enough to accept that the manager deserves the benefit of the doubt and that winning the league was always going to be difficult. However, when we are so risk averse, so conservative and so feeble then the pressure will mount. For all our sakes McCoist needs to start showing more conviction and more desire to attack. Yesterday we had a total of 12 corners but by my count 8 of those came in the second half. Why do we always sleep walk through the first half and why are we so reluctant to try and go and impose ourselves on a match?

I take no pleasure in being this pessimistic but right now there is no benefit in anyone connected with Rangers deluding themselves. We are another four dropped points away from the league becoming a forlorn hope and with every passing day my confidence in the board’s ability to steer us through our current financial issues and potential insolvency slips away.

“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act” – George Orwell