Kris Commons believes Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Rangers are 'a million miles away' from where they need to be with victory over Motherwell changing nothing.
The Light Blues responded to their Champions League thrashing by Liverpool at Ibrox last midweek to pick up all three points in the Premiership at Fir Park. Malik Tillman's superb solo goal and John Lundstram's header helped the visitors claim victory and keep them just two points behind Celtic in the race for the title.
However, despite the result Commons says 'keeping your head above water' won't cut it at Rangers and questions will always be asked if the team are not delivering on all fronts. The 7-1 hammering by Liverpool did exactly that after the Reds fired six second half goals - including a six minute hat-trick from sub Mo Salah.
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He wrote in his Daily Mail column: "It's one thing surviving as a manager by digging out the odd result and keeping your head above water.
"But that's never going to be enough when you manage one half of the Old Firm. You always have to prosper. And, right now, Giovanni van Bronckhorst is a million miles away from doing that.
"For a Rangers boss to be successful, you are expected to win the league, add the odd cup and hold your own in Europe. You are held to a standard which is almost impossibly high at all times. Yet you know all of that the minute you sign on the dotted line.
"If you don't deliver on all fronts then questions will always be asked. One unconvincing win at Motherwell yesterday doesn't change any of that. The wider picture is that of a team that can go to pieces at any moment against better opposition.
"There's just no excuse for the manner of that 7-1 defeat to Liverpool last Wednesday. Listen, it's not easy when you are winning most of your games domestically against wasteful opponents and are suddenly facing a side which is filled with world-class players.
"If the same scoreline had happened at Anfield, it would have been more understandable. But at home, with such a tremendous backing from your fans, you have to feel you have half a chance. It's all very well people saying that Rangers were playing Elgin ten years ago. But five months ago, they were in the Europa League final.
"They beat Champions League quality sides like Borussia Dortmund to get there. So you can't have it both ways."
On the injury front, he added: "Injuries are no excuse either. Every club gets them. You have to assume they will happen.
"I'm sorry, but John Souttar is no great loss. I just don't think he would have made any difference to Rangers.
"He's just not going to solve any issues in the SPFL let alone Europe. He's a decent but injury prone centre-half who can handle the ball well enough but doesn't have a great turn of pace. Pinning the blame on an injury list that includes him just won't wash."
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