Gordon Smith shares what Rangers boss Steven Gerrard needs to do to fix things at Ibrox

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Glasgow Rangers legend Gordon Smith has claimed that Ibrox manager Steven Gerrard needs to overhaul his squad in the summer to avoid a repeat of this season’s woes, in conversation with Sky Sports.

Rangers’ domestic season has collapsed before their very eyes since January, the Ibrox side slipping to 13 points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership race due to a number of shock defeats.

Likewise, the Gers’ participation in the Scottish Cup is over following a quarter-final defeat to Hearts at the end of February – potentially paving the way for the Hoops to claim another domestic treble.

While Rangers remain in the Europa League – something their Old Firm rivals can no longer claim – the Light Blues’ downturn in form domestically has rung many alarm bells among those connected with the Ibrox club.

Sky Sports reporter Charles Paterson spoke to Rangers legend and Scottish FA chief executive Smith about the issues affecting the Rangers squad at present and asked if an overhaul was needed.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt about that,” he told Sky Sports.

“He has to look at his squad and it’s not just about ability in terms of the skill levels because you can see from the games against Celtic and Braga, the skill levels are there with a lot of the players, but you need the people who have the character to play and under the pressure that comes with being a Rangers player.

“That’s what Steven Gerrard has to look at very closely in terms of taking the team forward and the type of player(s) that are going to be successful for the club.”

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A season that begun with so much promise and genuine hopes of Rangers winning title number 55 has fallen to bits in the space of several weeks and Gerrard is now facing the biggest challenge of his fledgling managerial career.

There could yet be a happy ending to Rangers’ season in the form of a good Europa League run, or perhaps even bringing the trophy to Ibrox, but there is no doubt that too many of the Gers players have simply not been consistent – or even good – enough.