05 Aug 2026 08:39:53
A thread in another section yesterday pointed out that Oscar Cortes was producing great figures whilst on loan to a team in Argentina. This got me thinking and wondered what others thoughts were on this.
I find it is incredibly frustrating to watch talented players arrive at Rangers, struggle on our pitch, and then rediscover their form the moment they leave. We know these players do not just lose their ability overnight, especially those coming from highly competitive, intense environments like the Argentine league, where the football is technical and the fans are notoriously demanding.
Does this persistent pattern suggests the root cause lies within our own club rather than the individual talent we are recruiting. Yes there are exceptions but that is what they are; the odd player.
To kick off a discussion on how to break this cycle a couple of my thoughts.
First, is it our scouting and tactical alignment where we are simply buying good individual players who do not fit into our manager's specific system. Remember this has been going on for longer than the Thurwells and Purdeys.
Second, Is it that the unique, highly physical style of the Scottish Premiership creates a tactical culture shock that most players fail to adapt to. if so how do we ever get the quality we need who are able to play in that style.
Finally, is it the intense psychological pressure cooker of Ibrox; playing under a fanbase starved of consistent silverware. Does this paralyse a player's confidence.
so as I say just an attempt to start a debate after Cortes reemergence to form. What do you think are the reasons for this recurring drop-off in form? try to keep it upbeat and not too aggressive as I am interested in how very few seem to make it here, or I may be being harsh and more make it than I remember.
05 Aug 2026 08:58:43
Angus, mix of all 3 I'd say, with the pressure being the main cause.
Dessers summed it up perfectly on a RR podcast: "Players don't realise you are carrying the weight of 15 years of failure on your back when you sign," and it's so true.
Players are blamed for things they weren't even here for. 15 years of underachieving and no one gets any leeway now.
05 Aug 2026 09:05:28
Angus, it's similar at Man United just now too. How many players have they signed that have been catastrophic failures and moved clubs and went on to perform. Look at Antony at Betis. All the pressure off and he performs like he did for Ajax.
Some clubs have massive massive pressure that's hard for some to handle. And, when that club is underperforming like ours or United, it becomes
Tenfold.
05 Aug 2026 09:35:35
Angus, can I throw another suggestion in?
When we are bringing players in, I sometimes feel they are over coached.
Example, Russell Martin. We have a certain way of playing and that is it. Where you stand, what runs you will make.
I get that is part of the game, but sometimes I think we suppress the players from what made them the players in the first place.
We don't want them to beat players or go past, we want them to pass side to side, don't take the man on, play it back.
Like I say, a bit simplistic in explanation, but I hope you get the gyst.
Are Cortes and Antman possibly examples of this?
05 Aug 2026 09:49:27
I think some of it is that he is finally fit and injury free also now.
Hopefully he comes back and performs for us.
05 Aug 2026 09:54:02
I'll just add my thoughts. Cortes numbers are pish.
05 Aug 2026 10:11:15
Another example. Some say Bailey Rice was sensational for Kilmarnock. Good post, Angus, and I think it's a combination of all 3. Need a thick skin and talent to succeed at Rangers.
05 Aug 2026 10:35:45
Thanks, guys, for keeping it civil and interesting.
Pieter, I agree with what you say to an extent, but using Antman as the example, he changed from his first game to his second game. Is that a bit quick for the transformation to happen.
I agree with the pressure, which I thought it was, but it is every player, so how do we find players who automatically can play under that pressure?
Personally, I think until we solve that issue we won't really move forward.
It is so wide on almost every player we sign, there must be something though.
05 Aug 2026 10:55:25
I think it's the league to be honest, mainly and the expectation of us fans, which doesn't help and I include myself in this. But we have been starved of success for a long time bar one season. It's mighty frustrating being a Rangers fan.
05 Aug 2026 10:58:28
I'd say Cortes Shup has sailed out of Glasgow for a last time.
Hopefully, the better he is, we can sell at a better fee n that's it for me, maybe a swap deal for another player come January?
And, lastly, players and teams in general are definitely over coaches, u seen the difference in Martin Oneil Celtic last season from before and after being over coached by Nancy, same players twice.
Same improved performance twice. I like a man manager like Smith and Oneil, like Gerrard Mccleish etc.
05 Aug 2026 11:16:16
I think it's a perfect storm of all the things mentioned. And I think one of the main things we need to snap out of it right now is signing players who have a pair of balls. Can have all the talent in the world, but they need to put their balls on the table when it counts.
05 Aug 2026 11:53:44
I think there also must have been a real disconnect between our recruitment and managers buying players who clearly don't suit what the manager wants. Antman, perfect example of a wide player signed, then slaughtered by Martin for playing like that. Others not signed to suit managers' rigid, possession-based football or inflexible horseshoe styles.
Others were signed for their pace, but we played around the back. Even now we've just signed an inverted winger when we don't have the fullbacks that are suited to that tactic.
05 Aug 2026 12:17:59
Cortes carried a few big injuries when signed and then the same happened again. Struggled to
regain fitness and form. May feel settled where he is, which in turn helps with his form and fitness.
05 Aug 2026 13:29:06
Angus, good post.
I didn't know Dessers had said that. It hits the nail right on the head, I think.
I said the other day that DM etc can't carry the residue from previous managers/players. We need to let them start with a clean slate.
In my opinion, it's:
The league
The expectations
The style/standard of league.
A small part might even be the demise in the vibrancy of Glasgow as a city.
These are young men at the end of the day, and it doesn't matter what their wage slip says. They are human, like the rest of us, and feel as such.
05 Aug 2026 12:47:17
Angus, enjoyed your post about why some players don't make it for us. The physical side of the SPL will have an impact, cue Lammers and Proper, but the main reason I think is the sheer speed the game is played at and the fact that the foreign players don't get a second on the ball.
The ones who succeed can adapt quickly. This is something they should be made aware of on day one, and will be totally alien to them. I have watched Scottish football all my life, and even the intensity of the game and the closing down by Dundee United on Friday night still caught my attention.
05 Aug 2026 15:34:53
Good stuff, lads and wanted to try to get a bit away from negativity. Then we go and sign a player and it flew off the first page so quickly. 😉
05 Aug 2026 16:07:01
Had high hopes for Cortes, Angus. Thought he was going to be class. It's unique here, ye either take to it or you don't.