RANGERS return to Premiership action this weekend with a trip to Hearts as Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side aim to start building some momentum in the title race.
The Dutchman won twice at Tynecastle last term but didn't have his problems to seek elsewhere as questions were raised over his record on the road.
Here are five of Van Bronckhorst's worst away days as he seeks to improve his record away from Ibrox this term.
Aberdeen 1-1 Rangers
Van Bronckhorst had made a solid start to life at Ibrox after succeeding Steven Gerrard but this Pittodrie draw was the first sign of weakness. A Lewis Ferguson penalty cancelled out Ianis Hagi’s opener before Ryan Kent saw red.
The Dons were more than worthy of their share of the points as Rangers returned to action after the break and put themselves on the back foot. Within weeks, the tables had been turned in the Premiership title race.
It was a lacklustre, uninspiring showing from a side that had it all to play for in the Premiership. Indeed, it was a setback that set the tone for the second half of the term as Rangers failed to defend their league crown.
Ross County 3-3 Rangers
The champions saw their lead at the top of the table cut to two points as a careless finale in the Highlands cost them dear. Once again, Rangers only had themselves to blame.
Goals from James Tavernier and Connor Goldson had them ahead after Jordan White and Regan Charles-Cook strikes followed an early effort from Amad Diallo. It wasn’t enough, though, as Matthew Wright scored with just seconds to spare.
Rangers paid the price for a series of defensive lapses as they failed to take their own chances and kill off the Staggies. The momentum across the Old Firm had now shifted as Van Bronckhorst had to address questions about his approach on the road.
Celtic 3-0 Rangers
Just days after that draw in Dingwall, things got even worse for Rangers. This was a lamentable derby showing as a Reo Hatate double and Liel Abada strike saw Celtic race into a commanding lead and take pole position in the Premiership.
In the end, Rangers were fortunate that the margin of the defeat wasn’t even more embarrassing. The manner of it certainly was, however, as the unfathomable combination of an attacking team and defensive setup got what it deserved.
Rangers would never recover from the blow at Parkhead as they were outfought and outclassed and Van Bronckhorst and his players were under huge pressure as supporters saw their dreams of back-to-back titles squandered away from Ibrox.
Hibernian 2-2 Rangers
The woeful showing against Union Saint-Gilloise was a warning that Rangers hadn’t solved their away day blues heading into the new campaign and the first dropped points of the season followed a couple of weeks later at Easter Road.
A James Tavernier penalty and header from Tom Lawrence, either side of a Martin Boyle effort, should have been enough for Van Bronckhorst’s side. But a couple of missed chances and the dismissals of John Lundstram and Alfredo Morelos invited a late pile on from Hibs and Josh Campbell netted in the dying seconds.
The performance of referee Willie Collum left a lot to be desired and the red card to Lundstram was later rescinded. This was another frustrating afternoon all round.
Celtic 4-0 Rangers
This was the worst of lot for Van Bronckhorst and it was followed by the annihilation in Amsterdam as Ajax put another four by his hapless side.
Rangers failed to learn their lesson at Parkhead and were brushed aside again as Abada bagged a brace and Jota and David Turnbull also netted. The individual and collective mistakes were unforgivable from a Rangers perspective.
This defeat put Van Bronckhorst’s side five points behind and saw many fans all-but write off their hopes of a successful title bid. The comprehensive defeat was hard to stomach, but the meek, passive way in which Rangers went down hurt supporters even more as Van Bronckhorst was placed under significant scrutiny once again.
