In a turn of events that few had predicted, the mighty Rangers fell to a surprising 2-0 defeat against St Mirren on their own turf at Ibrox. This marked the second home loss in a row for Rangers, a team with a proud legacy that now seems to be faltering. The match played out on February 22, 2025, with the visitors breaking a jinx that had kept them winless at Ibrox since November 1991.
The first blow came from Mikael Mandron, who struck in the 51st minute. Mandron's goal seemed to reignite St Mirren’s determination, shaking the very core of the Rangers' defense. Toyosi Olusanya added salt to the wound by netting another goal in the 70th minute, sealing the unexpected victory.
In the midst of the action, a contentious moment arose when Rangers' Hamza Igmane was initially shown a straight red card after a foul against Mark O’Hara. The intervention by VAR saw the decision overturned to a yellow card. However, by then, the momentum and confidence appeared to have already swung in favor of St Mirren. This incident, although dramatic, did little to alter the outcome.
After the game, murmurs of discontent were palpable among the Rangers supporters. This latest loss came swiftly after their Scottish Cup elimination to Queen’s Park, adding more heat on the under-fire manager Philippe Clement and his squad.
On the club front, discussions have been brewing about potential new ownership. Reports hint that a USA-led consortium, featuring 49ers Enterprises president Paraag Marathe, may be involved. Despite this backdrop of potential change, the current on-field struggles take center stage. Rangers continue to trail league leaders Celtic by a daunting 13 points, a gap that seems more challenging with every defeat.
Adding to the concerns is a trophy-less domestic season, marking a significant downturn for a club accustomed to lifting silverware. Eyes now turn towards their upcoming Europa League encounter against Fenerbahce, wondering if the European stage might offer some solace amid these challenging times.
The situation has cast a shadow over the season’s prospects, leaving fans anxious and skeptical about what lies ahead. As emotions run high, the Rangers community is left to hope for a swift turnaround, both on and off the pitch, to revive their cherished club’s fortunes.