Philippe Clement admits Rangers have "already lost too many points" after their Scottish Premiership clash against Dundee United at Ibrox ended in a stalemate.
Rangers produced another abject performance in front of their home support. They were booed off as they went into the half-time break a goal down, and the Rangers manager responded with a double change.
It continued to be a display which lacked urgency until Vaclav Cerny stepped up with a well-worked equaliser on 66 minutes.
However, the Light Blues were unable to build on any momentum from that moment and failed to find a winning goal.
Clement understands results must improve and even fears his side are slipping away from the standards he set when he first arrived.
Read more:
- Clement discloses Rangers offer to Dundee United that was turned down
- Goodwin reveals Dundee United request for second Rangers delay
Speaking after the full-time whistle, he said: "The result is very frustrating, we've already lost too many points. We know we don't have credit in the bank in that way.
"The performance, the second-half I saw what I wanted to see in my team. But we have lost too many points. We are not where we want to be as a club. It's two points lost we cannot lose. Last season we won this type of game every time. Even when it was difficult we could push over the line.
"It's totally unacceptable to lose that many points. We all know. I know, the players know, so there's hard work to be done to make that better in the next couple of months. But I am convinced also the last couple of weeks when I see performances like the second half, and I'm happy seeing players come back from injury that can help the team. That will be important."
Asked if Rangers could still mount a title challenge despite Celtic having the opportunity to go 11 points ahead in the league standings should they defeat Heart of Midlothian on Saturday night, Clement replied: "We don't need to speak about title's now. We need to speak about raising our level because we have control of how many points other teams take.
"You see a team that has stayed competitive today, that wanted to win. You didn't see a team who gave up, who didn't want to, or the last phase they kept on pushing to score the second goal to have the win. So that's the mentality that I want to see."
