Former Rangers striker Ross McCormack says manager Philippe Clement is under "huge pressure" after Sunday's loss at Rugby Park.
Listen to today's episode of the Scottish Football Podcast.
Image source, SNSLeon Balogun says Rangers must "face up" to criticism from supporters following their 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock on Sunday.
Philippe Clement's side are third in the Scottish Premiership, six points behind the top two, and have scored just one goal away from home in the league so far this season.
The away end at Rugby Park made their feelings clear at full-time after a lacklustre display, and Balogun said the reaction was justified.
"The supporters really give their all to support us everywhere, near and far," the defender said.
"But it comes with something. You can’t just take that for granted. I'm not saying anyone does. But you have to know that if you don't deliver, it can be uncomfortable.
"And you have to try to live up to their expectations as much as you can.
"It's not always reasonable what you then receive. I'm not for abuse of any sorts. But the criticism that comes up after a day like that, I think you have to face it.
"You have to understand them. You have to understand what this club stands for, the history of the club.
“If you sign for this club, you have to know that there's a lot of expectation. And if you don't live up to that expectation, there might be really uncomfortable moments."
Watch highlights from Kilmarnock's win over Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.
Rangers fans, we asked for your thoughts after your team's 1-0 defeat by Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Sunday.
Here's a taste of what you had to say:
Matt: Lacklustre. Sloppy. No Fight, no spirit, but more worryingly, it's not surprising. Club is in a right mess from top to bottom and the only ones who are hurting are us, the fans. Philippe Clement has a major problem, fans starting to lose belief and we've been here far too many times.
Anon: Utterly gutless! Rotten from the first minute and no real game plan, empty jerseys - no fight, no passion and sadly no hope! We will be lucky to finish third with that squad.
Ian: Clement said earlier in the season to judge his team in October. This is now October and the team show no signs of improvement. The midfield three and front three are as poor a front six as I have seen for years. We also should have sold James Tavernier in the summer if not sooner. Recruitment has been terrible for years, and there is a long season ahead.
Margaret: Why oh why can we never take advantage when Celtic drop points? It seems as if our bottle goes. So disappointed - we don't seem to have the fight to win.
Alexander: Totally inept and tactically incompetent. No direction from middle of the park which allowed Kilmarnock to play their own game. Rangers players were easily knocked off the ball and and deserved what they got. Nothing. Things need to change and fast.
Ronnie: Arguably our most important league game of the season after Saturday's result at Parkhead. A golden opportunity totally squandered in what was the worst 90 minutes I've seen from a Rangers side against domestic opposition in a long time. No pass marks other than Jack Butland. We looked like a Championship side again. It's beyond forgivable.
Chris: How many real Rangers men are in this team? All this lot are playing for is the money not the jersey. Unless we get a player base of young academy players in the team we are not going anywhere. Buying injury-prone mercenaries is not a viable strategy.
Neil: Rangers are a total shambles from top to bottom. An arrogant board, clueless manager and disinterested players. The fans are being asked to support mediocrity. Enough is enough.
Roy: First and foremost is the formation. Mr Clement sticks to his 4-2-3-1 and we are struggling to score goals. Up until about seven or eight years ago, Rangers regularly played two up front. Somehow, we need to get back to that, whether that means 4-4-2 or 3-5-2. Currently, we are just not good enough and will struggle to finish third!
Image source, Getty ImagesAlexandru Musi settled the game in stoppage time
FCSB prepared for Thursday's Europa League visit to Ibrox with a 2-0 win away to Dinamo Bucharest, their fifth consecutive victory stretching their unbeaten run to 10 games.
The victory for the reigning champions lifted the side previously known as Steau Bucharest above their hosts into fifth place in Liga I, seven points behind Universitatea Cluj.
Head coach Elias Charalambous rotated his squad by making five changes from the side that defeated Buzau 3-2 last time out.
Romania striker George Birligia marked his return to the starting line-up by putting FCSB ahead with a superb overhead kick after 26 minutes - his fourth goal in six games since joining from CFR Cluj.
However, it was not until three minutes into stoppage time that substitute winger Alexandru Musi, the summer arrival from Petrolul, secured the points with a low shot on the turn.
Image source, SNSMarley Watkins has scored three goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Kilmarnock player.
Kilmarnock are undefeated in their last five games in the Premiership, their last longer unbeaten streak was from 2 March 2024 to 27 April 2024, a run of six games.
Rangers have failed to score in three of their eight games, only St Johnstone (four) and Ross County (four) have failed to score more often in the Premiership this season.
Kilmarnock have scored in their last five games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 15 games from 23 December 2023 to 13 April 2024.
Former Rangers midfielder John Lundstram branded former Ibrox team-mate Robby McCrorie a "muppet" after the goalkeeper celebrated his Kilmarnock side's victory over the Glasgow visitors online on Sunday. (Daily Record), external
Rangers' 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock means Philippe Clement's side are now ranked as the joint-worst team in the Scottish Premiership for finding the net away from home. (Daily Record), external
Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Image source, Getty Images
Rangers are six points off the Scottish Premiership pace following a 1-0 defeat at Kilmarnock.
It was a rather flat performance at Rugby Park.
What did you think? Let us know here.
Image source, SNS"It was not good enough," Rangers boss Philippe Clement told BBC Scotland. "First half, we didn't create enough and gave away too much in duels. Second half, was much better, we took control and made chances, but to concede in that fashion is disappointing.
"We need to adapt and play on any surface. It's different kind of football [on Kilmarnock's artificial pitch] but everybody comes here at some point of the season and we did well here before.
"Intensity is an easy word to say but you need to find space to play and Kilmarnock did that really well. We could have done better in our duels, for sure.
"With the goal, our right full-back (substitute Neraysho Kasanwirjo) is late to step forward and catch players offside, but that is something we have to learn from.
"We've played eight games, so there are 30 more to go in the league. It's about learning the lessons from these games, like we have done before."
Colin Moffat
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSRangers were found wanting in all departments, but what will concern manager Philippe Clement the most was the demeanour of his players.
The "attitude was miles off," observed former Ibrox striker Billy Dodds on punditry duty.
The visitors certainly did not look like a team hungry to force themselves into a title race, struggling to match Kilmarnock's appetite for the fight.
Defenders were passive, allowing too many long balls to drop on the artificial surface.
The midfield offered next to nothing, with central duo Mohamed Diomande and Connor Barron turning back too often.
Rangers have only scored 12 goals in their eight Premiership matches - half Celtic's tally - and striker Cyriel Dessers was starved of service for long spells.
Image source, SNSKilmarnock: McCrorie, Mayo, Deas, Findlay, Ndaba, Armstrong, Lyons, Donnelly, Kennedy, Watkins, Vassell.
Substitutes: O'Hara, Burroughs, McKenzie, Watson, Murray, Anderson, Mackay-Steven, Bainbridge, Wales.
Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Propper, Souttar, Jefte, Barron, Diomande, Cerny, Lawrence, Bajrami, Dessers.
Substitutes: Kelly, Dowell, Kasanwirjo, Balogun, Igamane, Raskin, McCausland, Fraser, McKinnon.
Image source, SNSKilmarnock have Stuart Findlay back and midfielder David Watson is set to play through a shoulder knock. Joe Wright completes a three-match suspension while Liam Polworth (calf) remains out alongside long-term absentee Kyle Magennis.
Rangers midfielder Ianis Hagi is suspended but Danilo, Ross McCausland and Tom Lawrence could return. Oscar Cortes, Ridvan Yilmaz and Rabbi Matondo remain out.
