Shell-shocked Alan Hutton couldn’t believe the basic defensive errors Rangers were making during their Scottish Premiership draw at Motherwell.
Philippe Clement’s side had to come from behind to just register a point on their travels following a terrible first half showing that highlighted the surprise absences of Vaclav Cerny and Hamza Igamane from the Rangers starting XI.
The influential duo were introduced into the action for the second half - even though their manager had earlier claimed that sports science staff had told him to manage their minutes.
Igamane netted a brace and Cerny looked bright and completed the most dribbles in the match.
But it was all too late as Rangers’ failure to clear their lines already had given them a mountain to climb.
By the time of their introduction, Motherwell striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulous had already poked the ball beyond Jack Butland then Tawanda Maswanshise's magnificent solo effort had the Steelman firmly in the driving seat at the interval.
Although, Hutton reckons both goals were avoidable.
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"I knew this section was going to be difficult, so let's just get into it," he told Premier Sports' Scottish Football Social Club, while shaking his head at the thought of discussing Rangers' troubles.
"Honestly the defending for that first one. [Robin] Propper can't even get up off the ground and he's too interested in the handball that he can't get back in.
"I seen it down south in the Southampton game, [Aaron] Ramsdale very similar, and the goal was given.
"When I initially seen this I thought Butland has to be stronger for me. There's a coming together, yes he's leaning on him slightly, but he should do better."
"Everything that's surrounding Rangers at the moment, the St Mirren game, they had to make two subs at half-time because the first half was shocking, the same happened here," he said.
"They had to make two subs. He's resting [Vaclav] Cerny seemingly because his numbers are low according to the sports science people. No, that's not what you do. You've got a huge game coming up on Thursday, so play him, get in front then bring him off at half-time, bring him off at 60 minutes if that's what you feel the need to do.
"That just doesn't happen because at the end of the day it's Clement that's going to get sacked or lose his job over this situation. You need to do what's best for your team at this moment in time and worry about everything else after.
"So, they were lucky to get away with a draw in my opinion."
