PEDRO Caixinha, the Rangers manager, has called for calm in the face of concern after his misfiring side failed to hit the target in a closed-door defeat to St Johnstone.
The Ibrox club have been forced to schedule non-competitive matches after their premature European exit left their pre-season calendar empty. However, there was no friendly fire as the Portuguese’s side went down 1-0 to fellow Europa League flops St Johnstone at Murray Park with Callum Hendry netting the only goal.
In their games against Progres Neiderkorn Rangers managed to find the back of the net just once and after drawing another blank, Caixinha insists the goals will come as the Premiership season looms large.
“The boys are getting the message and getting the idea,” said the Rangers head coach. “We are creating a lot of scoring chances and we know the goals are going to appear at the right moment. There is nothing to be shocked or alarmed about – if the team was not producing or the team was not playing or giving the philosophy we want from them, then I would be worried.”
As Caixinha’s new-look Rangers side toiled to find their feet in Glasgow, forgotten midfielder Matt Crooks was sealing a three-year deal with League One Northampton Town for an undisclosed fee.
The 23-year-old played just three games for the Premiership side after joining from Accrington Stanley last year.
He said: “It’s a club on the rise.
“I had a bit of a sticky year last year and want to be back on the rise, so I hope we can do it together.”
Meanwhile, it emerged yesterday Rangers have been handed a €7,000 fine by Uefa after fans threw objects on to the pitch during their June 29 Europa League qualifier against Luxembourg side Progres Niederkorn at Ibrox.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here